The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: ambriel on February 13, 2011, 10:57:40 pm

Title: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: ambriel on February 13, 2011, 10:57:40 pm

I'm looking at getting a cockerel to keep our hens in order and would like a dark coloured bird. I was thinking along the lines of a Black Rock but would appreciate suggestions of other breeds from the collective wisdom here.

We're in the far north west corner of Scotland but regularly go across to Inverness, so somewhere west of there if anyone can suggest a source, also.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: cluckingnuts on February 14, 2011, 10:23:41 am

You won't get a true black rock cock anywhere, plenty of lookalikes being passed off as them though.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: ambriel on February 14, 2011, 12:09:26 pm

Thanks for the advice. One of our hens we've been told is a black rock and she's a handsome bird.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: Rosemary on February 14, 2011, 02:25:21 pm

A Black Rock is a cross between a Rhode Island Red and  Plymouth Barred (I think). It is a sex linked hybrid so cockerels can be killed at hatching.

Because they are first crosses, Black Rocks won't breed true.

The Black Rock name belngs to R. A. Lovett who now owns the RIR and Plymouth foundation breeding flocks developed by Peter Siddons over many years. Only poultry from him are Black Rocks - other crosses are known by other names.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: bib on February 16, 2011, 10:20:11 pm

Hi

I have a couple of young excheqher leghorn cockerels who I need to get rid of if you're interested.  They are black and white, sort of 'splash' colouring, not bantams but smaller than a lot of other breeds.  Quite fiesty though, and well able to keep the hens in order! Send a message if you'd like one for a fiver - the croft is on the Black Isle.
best wishes
Rhona

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: ambriel on February 17, 2011, 11:55:57 am

It wasn't you we got our hens from, was it Rhona? That was a little place out near Culbo.

I've just Googled Exchequer-Leghorn cockerels and they're very smart looking birds. I'd be very pleased to take one from you at that price. I'll send you a message with my details.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: Castle Farm on February 17, 2011, 04:33:37 pm

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Exchequer/251207043.jpg)(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h117/castlefarmpoultry/Exchequer/251207045.jpg)


Top layering breed are Exchequers

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: ambriel on February 22, 2011, 05:16:43 pm

Picked up 'Nigel', our new Exchequer-Leghorn cockerel, on Saturday and he's settling in fine.

Many thanks, Rhona. I'll be in touch soon when we're ready to expand our flock.

Title: Re: Cockerel in the Highlands
Post by: ambriel on February 23, 2011, 04:37:27 pm

Here's a pic of Nigel, our new cockerel.
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5470933305_2071c80a23.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garysutherland/5470933305/)
Nigel our new cockerel. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garysutherland/5470933305/#)