Which White Silkie Cockerel should I keep?

[vpeterson]

I have three nice white silkie cockerels but I really can only keep one of them. I want to use him for breeding with my other white hens. PLease watch each of these videos and let me know which one you would keep. The first one was hatched last Dec. The other two were in March. Thanks

The first one has already shown that he can get the girls.

 

[thechickenguy]

20 or 23

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

23 or 20. I am not impressed at all with the 1st/oldest one.

28, not so great leg-feathering, bad tail angle.

23, leg feathering could be better

20, good leg-feathering, tail angle seems alright. This bird looks to me, to be the best of your choices. Of course, I'm not a specialist with silkies, but if I were breeding, this one would be my choice.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I like 23 and 20 also. Keep them both. How old are they? Also, do you have any other males besides these 3?

 

[RooptyDoo]

I would say #20

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Keep 23 and 20, re-evaluate when they are older. Best bet is to breed each and see whose chicks are better quality.

 

[vpeterson]

I don't have any other males in white, except for possibly the one that I have on video under "Gender ?" section of the board. NOt sure if that one is a girl or a boy. I don't have al ot of space and neighbors close by so I was hoping to only keep one male from each of my three colors, buff, white and b/b/sp. But is only one rooster enough if I am trying to become a breeder? I always think, what if a preditor gets him or he doesn't mate effectively.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
If you only keep one of each color, and one gets killed, dies from the heat/cold. Then what happens, you have no extra. Always keep an extra rooster on hand.

 

[vpeterson]

I still have a hard time deciding about tight wings. Number 20 has that nice swan shaped neck but his wings look loose and hard to me.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I'm not in love with the wings on any of them, but I would probably keep 23 and 20. I have had the wings tighten up and look really good once the cockerel fills out. Let them keep filling out and you can decide if you want to keep one or both of them. If something happens to one of them it can be very difficult to find a replacement. Believe me, I've tried to find a replacement black cockerel for the one I lost and never did. I think I may have a replacement now that I hatched. He's looking pretty good...time will tell.