I will be making separate pages for these birds soon. I'm going to have one page for the SC's and one page for the RC's. I think this will be a lot easier for me to keep it up to date in the coming months. This page will remain the same will do any/all updates on the other pages.
5/15/2013 Just got done banding my SC from Jim Heinz Orange bands on females White bandette #1 on male. The RC's will have same color on females and the 2 males will have #2 and #3 on their white bands. These bands are on the left leg. I will put the same color on the birds from Gary but on the right leg of the females and I will put the numbers of the cockerels when I band them.
5/15/2013 Just got done banding my SC from Jim Heinz Orange bands on females White bandette #1 on male. The RC's will have same color on females and the 2 males will have #2 and #3 on their white bands. These bands are on the left leg. I will put the same color on the birds from Gary but on the right leg of the females and I will put the numbers of the cockerels when I band them.
I never really thought that I would be able to say that there is a blood line that I like as well as the Don Nelson's BUT I will say that the older these birds get, the more I like them. IF they lay as well as the Nelson girls I will honestly say that I love them every bit as much as the Nelson line. As for the cockerels, they are really nicer then the Nelson's were at this same age. Length and width of backs are amazing. Brick shape is very good. Body length on the females is super also. Most of the females have the really broad heads which make them so beautiful. Both of the RC boys have nice combs but the one is exceptionally nice. If I would have been able to get in touch with Gary and had gotten these birds before I had gotten any of the other lines, I would have probably had nothing but the Underwood birds. My 3 RC pullets and the 2 cockerels will be kept separate from the SC group. I'm hoping to get a nice little flock of them started. I will put my SC's together once the ones from Gary reach 6 months old. There is 3 months difference in the age of the ones on this page and the ones I have from Gary. I will have to examine the boys and see if I can go with the males from Gary and not keep the one from this group. I don't want them fighting.
Below comment was copied/pasted from BYC left by NYREDS
Underwood Reds are one of the oldest & most successful line of Reds in the country. The current Mr Underwood took over his father's birds. I've seen them when I've gone to shows in the mid-west & had occasion to talk Reds with the current Mr Underwood. He's a very knowledgable Red breeder. You couldn't go far wrong starting with some of his birds.
Underwood Reds are one of the oldest & most successful line of Reds in the country. The current Mr Underwood took over his father's birds. I've seen them when I've gone to shows in the mid-west & had occasion to talk Reds with the current Mr Underwood. He's a very knowledgable Red breeder. You couldn't go far wrong starting with some of his birds.
3/23/2012
I got started with the Underwood line by getting a few chicks from Trish Dusil. Unfortunately I was only able to raise one of these. Ended up with one lone pullet.
I got started with the Underwood line by getting a few chicks from Trish Dusil. Unfortunately I was only able to raise one of these. Ended up with one lone pullet.
2/7/2013 Gee whiz, a fella came to my house today to take my extra Mohawk Cockerels and said that he had an Underwood Cock Bird and no hens so he took my one lone pullet to put with him.
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Everything below this line is about the Gary Underwood line that I got from Mr. Jim Heinz and before going any further I have to give a big shout out to Jim. Thank you soooooo very much for these eggs. Jim got Trish's breeding stock of Underwood birds.
Everything below this line is about the Gary Underwood line that I got from Mr. Jim Heinz and before going any further I have to give a big shout out to Jim. Thank you soooooo very much for these eggs. Jim got Trish's breeding stock of Underwood birds.
NOTICE If you would like information about getting some of these from Jim, go to my RIR breeders/owners page.
10/19/2012
Received 18 eggs from Jim this morning.
10/20/2012
After leaving these eggs set in cartons for a full 24 hours I set them in the incubator today.
11/2/2012
Just checked these eggs and it seems that 7 of the 8 SC's may be developing and 8 of the 10 SC's seem to be developing. Gee, if this percentage keeps up I will sure be surprised. I had checked them on day 7 and it seemed that only 2 were developing. I don't usually open my incubators from the time I put them in until day 18 but I was really curious with these ones. What a difference a week makes.
11/7/2012
15 eggs made it to lock down.
Received 18 eggs from Jim this morning.
10/20/2012
After leaving these eggs set in cartons for a full 24 hours I set them in the incubator today.
11/2/2012
Just checked these eggs and it seems that 7 of the 8 SC's may be developing and 8 of the 10 SC's seem to be developing. Gee, if this percentage keeps up I will sure be surprised. I had checked them on day 7 and it seemed that only 2 were developing. I don't usually open my incubators from the time I put them in until day 18 but I was really curious with these ones. What a difference a week makes.
11/7/2012
15 eggs made it to lock down.
11/10/2012
As of 8:25 P.M. Saturday 11/10/2012 there are 11 of these little ones that hatched out. I really do think that they are done. I will be moving the hatched ones to their brooder box tomorrow and leave the other few in hatcher for another day or so.
Pictures of these little ones to follow once moved. I thank Jim Heinz so very much for getting back to me through P.M. letting me know that he had eggs and that he would sell me some. I appreciate this so very much. My, I hope and pray that I'm able to raise these all up to maturity. I really can't say for sure how many of these are RC and how many SC so I will just wait till they get a little older and go by the combs. There is either 5 or 6 of SC so the balance would be RC. Time will tell for sure. I don't really care which is which just hoping for at least 1 SC Cockerel to put with my one SC hen that I have. lol
As of 8:25 P.M. Saturday 11/10/2012 there are 11 of these little ones that hatched out. I really do think that they are done. I will be moving the hatched ones to their brooder box tomorrow and leave the other few in hatcher for another day or so.
Pictures of these little ones to follow once moved. I thank Jim Heinz so very much for getting back to me through P.M. letting me know that he had eggs and that he would sell me some. I appreciate this so very much. My, I hope and pray that I'm able to raise these all up to maturity. I really can't say for sure how many of these are RC and how many SC so I will just wait till they get a little older and go by the combs. There is either 5 or 6 of SC so the balance would be RC. Time will tell for sure. I don't really care which is which just hoping for at least 1 SC Cockerel to put with my one SC hen that I have. lol
11/11/2012
Well here they are, had another one pop out after I went to bed last night. Right now there are 12 One day old on these photos.
Well here they are, had another one pop out after I went to bed last night. Right now there are 12 One day old on these photos.
11/17/2012
One week old today. Just like most little babies. They eat and then want to sleep and grow while they are sleeping. So far I'm having super good luck with these babies. Still have all 12. Now the task of waiting to see how many from the RC pen and SC pen then how many pullets and cockerels from each variety. lol Always something to wonder about with these little darlings.
One week old today. Just like most little babies. They eat and then want to sleep and grow while they are sleeping. So far I'm having super good luck with these babies. Still have all 12. Now the task of waiting to see how many from the RC pen and SC pen then how many pullets and cockerels from each variety. lol Always something to wonder about with these little darlings.
11/23/2012
This video was made one day before 2 weeks old. I probably won't be posting picture for a while now. I'm just so tickled that I've had such good luck with these guys/gals. At the rate that they are growing, probably by next week or so they will be moved into another brooder in the basement to stay there till about 10 weeks then they will be moved again. lol
Gee, I wish it was closer to spring being here. The pictures were taken 11/26 these little guys were 2 weeks 2 days old and look at the wing and tail feathers. lol
This video was made one day before 2 weeks old. I probably won't be posting picture for a while now. I'm just so tickled that I've had such good luck with these guys/gals. At the rate that they are growing, probably by next week or so they will be moved into another brooder in the basement to stay there till about 10 weeks then they will be moved again. lol
Gee, I wish it was closer to spring being here. The pictures were taken 11/26 these little guys were 2 weeks 2 days old and look at the wing and tail feathers. lol
11/30/2012 These will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. They sure did feather out quickly.
Just got finished moving these little one's to the basement into their 3' X 6' brooder where they will stay till they are 8 or 10 weeks old then hopefully they will be able to go outside. I will be splitting these up into two different brooders in a few weeks. I'm not 100% sure on one of them but I am sure I have 5 RC and 6 SC. One has me a little puzzled right now. I think it is a RC but not positive. If so, I will have gotten 6 each variety from 12 that hatched. Now if I just don't have to many cockerels and I'll be on the road to raising the Underwood line of both SC and RC RIR's. Seems it has taken quite a while. Oh well I guess good things are worth waiting for. lol
I will try and get a couple of shots of them either later today or in a couple of days when they settle down. They are a little scared right now.
I will try and get a couple of shots of them either later today or in a couple of days when they settle down. They are a little scared right now.
12/12/2012 These will be 5 weeks old Saturday.
It really amazes me how quickly these little ones change. They are almost totally covered with feathers on their body. Their heads and necks still have a way to go. Wow, they sure are getting dark also. Still have all 12. I really do think that these will be overtaking the Mohawk Line. They are also getting the dark horn color down the front of the legs and toes. I'm sure liking these chicks.
I'm really afraid to say this but I am going to anyway, At this time it's looking like I have 8 - 10 pullets out of this bunch. I could be totally wrong but this is just a guess. I will know more a little later.
I'm really afraid to say this but I am going to anyway, At this time it's looking like I have 8 - 10 pullets out of this bunch. I could be totally wrong but this is just a guess. I will know more a little later.
12/21/2012 WOW, I wasn't planning on adding pictures this soon but I bought myself a new camera and I love the pictures it takes. Check out the feet and leg color on these chicks. In the first row, left is RC that I think is the cockerel.
At this point I think I only have 1 RC and possibly 2 SC 1 for sure. Not sure on the other. I'm just guessing on them at this age. I'll know for sure in another few weeks. They will be 6 weeks old tomorrow.
At this point I think I only have 1 RC and possibly 2 SC 1 for sure. Not sure on the other. I'm just guessing on them at this age. I'll know for sure in another few weeks. They will be 6 weeks old tomorrow.
Next photo's taken 12/29/12 These guys/gals are 7 weeks old today. They are surely growing into some gorgeous creatures. Can't wait to see them in a couple of more months. Not 100% sure but I think I have 9 pullets and 3 cockerels. These chicks are growing like bad weeds.
1/5/2013 8 weeks old today. Gosh, I hope I can hold off taking pictures until they are 12 weeks. That will be Groundhog Day. lol Just finished fastening 2 of the pens together making an L shaped pen for them. It is 12' long on the big end and 6' long on the other end and 3' wide. I think this will do now until they are ready to go outside. If not, I will split the RC and SC up and put them in separate pens. They are sure coming along nicely. Thanks again Jim Heinz for sending me the eggs. I really do appreciate it. These guys/gals should really be nice come mid summer.
Some good information to know.
"First Juvenile Molt "
There are actually two, juvenile or "mini molts" as I like to call them, before a chicken's first annual molt. The first mini molt begins at 6-8 days old and is complete by approximately 4 weeks when the chick's down is replaced by its first feathers.
Second Juvenile Molt
The second mini molt occurs between 7-12 weeks old and the chicken's first feathers are replaced by its second feathers. It is at this time that a rooster's distinguishing, ornamental feathers will appear.
There is little doubt when chickens are going through their juvenile molt as evidence abounds in the coop.
"First Juvenile Molt "
There are actually two, juvenile or "mini molts" as I like to call them, before a chicken's first annual molt. The first mini molt begins at 6-8 days old and is complete by approximately 4 weeks when the chick's down is replaced by its first feathers.
Second Juvenile Molt
The second mini molt occurs between 7-12 weeks old and the chicken's first feathers are replaced by its second feathers. It is at this time that a rooster's distinguishing, ornamental feathers will appear.
There is little doubt when chickens are going through their juvenile molt as evidence abounds in the coop.
1/12/2013 9 weeks old today. Still so satisfied with these chicks. Just so amazing. Not much talk about the lines from Gary/George Underwood anymore but I sure hope I can change this and get this very old strain back on the map. I only hope that I am able to do justice to this great line and make Gary feel proud for all the work that he and is daddy put into them. I do have information that it will be 100 years come spring 2014 since George Underwood started with the Rhode Island Reds.
1/19/2013 10 week old Underwood chicks from Jim Heinz
1/26/2013 These guys are 11 weeks old today. I took these shots yesterday. I have 2 RC and 1 SC boys and 4 RC and 5 SC girls.
Head shots of 11 week old cockerels and 1 pullet. 1/28/2013
2/2/2013 These 12 are 12 weeks old today. I really can't say how happy I am to still have all 12 of these younguns. lol These juveniles have such nice feathering and beak and leg color. I am so pleased with them.
2/5/2013 Funny how pictures really don't do these birds justice. I was just down looking at these juveniles and I don't know if it is the different way that I fed them this time or not but these 12 week old birds are almost as big as some of my full grown birds. They aren't filled out real nice but as for height, they are as tall as most of my year 9 - 11 month old birds. Really nice !!!!! I know that Trish has written on her site when I got chicks from her last year that these birds were enormous, well, I can see why she would say that. There are a couple pullets that are a little smaller but I wouldn't call them little. Can't wait to get the chicks directly from Gary and see how they compare. You can see that they are sure going through their juvenile molt. lol
2/9/2013 Not a whole lot of change this week other then they seem to be getting their grown up feathers. 13 weeks old
STill have all 12, I did find out that there are 7 SC and 5 RC. 1 SC cockerel and 2 RC cockerels 6 SC pullets 3 RC pullets.
STill have all 12, I did find out that there are 7 SC and 5 RC. 1 SC cockerel and 2 RC cockerels 6 SC pullets 3 RC pullets.
2/16/2013 14 weeks old today. Still have 9 pullets and 3 cockerels. I am so excited over having these and now that I have the babies from Gary, I should surely have enough to work with for next year.
2/24/13 15 weeks 1 day old Still have all 12 Getting bigger and bigger.
3/2/2013 16 weeks old. Sill have these 12 from Jim Heinz. They are just getting nicer and nicer. The rose comb cockerels are getting very nice combs. The color on these birds are very dark and evenly colored.
3/10/2013 Well, these guys are now 17 weeks old and I still have all 12 of them. I feel so proud that I've raised all of these. With this group and the ones that I got directly from Gary, If they all make it to maturity, I will have 36 to work with for next year. WOW, this sure makes me happy. Most of these pullets have really nice color coming in the tails. This is the SC Cockerel with these girls. He has a perfect 5 point comb.
3/23/2013 19 weeks old Haven't put anything here for a couple of weeks but I thought I should post these pictures showing the width of the backs and the color of these birds. These are some of the nicest young birds I've ever had. Thanks again Jim Heinz and of course Gary Underwood.
4/6/2013 21 week old Underwood Juvenile's I just put these out in there new pen today. They are a little nervous right now. Check out the long straight backs and tail color on these girls. I really couldn't get a good picture right now of any of the boys. Finally got the SC boy half decent. lol Gee, the flash sure does change the color. Reason for the close up of the tail is that I was told I would really have to work on the black in the tails that they were to much laced with red. I don't know but I think this looks pretty good to me. Most of the pullets tails look just like this.
I added 6 pictures on the 7th. They seemed to be a calmed down now after spending the night in their new pen. Finally got a couple pics of the RC boys. I am extremely happy with these birds.
I added 6 pictures on the 7th. They seemed to be a calmed down now after spending the night in their new pen. Finally got a couple pics of the RC boys. I am extremely happy with these birds.
4/13/2013 22 week old Just one picture of RC Pullet and RC Cockerel. These guys are so nice.
4/22/2013 These guys were 23 week old 4/20 The 3 RC pic's are of the same cockerel. I have 2 but this one has the nicer point at the end of his comb so this is probably the one I will use as my breeder. Just to show length and width of back and tail set. The other shot is the SC boy.
5/01/2013 These birds will be 6 months old on the 10th and they are absolutely gorgeous. I took these pictures mainly to show the width of the backs on both the males and females and the nice length to the backs of the females.
5/11/2013 Well, got my first egg from these girls today. They were 26 weeks old yesterday so that isn't so bad. lol When I asked Gary how old this line is when they start to lay, he told me around 23 weeks so he wasn't far off. I got them moved to their new pen this morning and separated the RC from the SC and I will be getting a few shots of them next week. I am soooo pleased to have this line of RIR.
5/14/2013 First time for this group coming out of their new coop. The two top pictures was with flash on the bottom 4 were without it. Oh my are these juveniles ever beautiful birds and this roo is the silliest thing I've ever had. He is soooo tame. I have loved him so much since hatch.
5/14/2013 First time for this group coming out of their new coop. The two top pictures was with flash on the bottom 4 were without it. Oh my are these juveniles ever beautiful birds and this roo is the silliest thing I've ever had. He is soooo tame. I have loved him so much since hatch.