Which cream legbar rooster do I keep?

Hi

We're new to the chicken-keeping business, but want to support the rare breeds. We are building a flock of assorted rare breeds in order to start breeding our own stock. We've read the 'breed standards' which all seems very daunting! We are not looking to show ourselves, but would like to produce good quality, robust and true-to-breed chickens.

We have 2 cream legbar roosters and it is time to decide which goes? I will post pictures shortly, and as you will see, one is darker than the other. It is proving to be a difficult choice, as the darker one seems to have a hatred for our Maran cockrel, but we think the paler one is perhaps too light in colour (although I quite like him as I think he is unusual)?

Personal views aside, what do you all think out there?

Will go and get photos now.......................

Many Thanks

Greetings, HelenesHens, and ! Great to have you here! Can't wait to see the pics!! You might also want to chat it up with other Legbar lovers in the link below. Best wishes!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/459044/the-legbar-thread

Hi HelenesHens,

Welcome to BYC. It may take you a few posts to be able to put up pictures, but you can always put pictures on your member page. I think you have to have 5 or so before the forum allows posts.

Just from your description, I would say that you should keep the one that you like more, that doesn't have an issue with your other rooster, or so it seems....the dynamics may change when you remove one rooster. Important things to look for are good 'type' and a straight upright comb is important. IMO color has been overemphasized at the expense of other traits of late - but 'the lighter the better' is a phrase from long ago. Yellow beak and feet, white earlobes all are characteristic.

Here are some threads with lots of pictures and discussion if you haven't seen them yet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/459044/the-legbar-thread/3830#post_10909159

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/509483/cream-legbars/1070#post_10897173

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/603454/cream-legbar-pictures/60#post_10857735

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...oup-standard-of-perfection/1140#post_10865207

There is also a club of Cream Legbar enthusiasts that started up just at the end of last year....information about the club can be found right here:https://sites.google.com/site/creamlegbarclublaunch/

Best of luck with your rare breeds and --- you may also want to consider posting your pictures and questions in one of the above threads - they are frequented by Cream Legbar folks.

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

I just went through a similar selection process with 3 young cockerels, so it can be daunting. Take some time to sit and observe each of the birds as he moves around. What you are looking for is a bird that is shaped typically for the breed, looking at tail set, comb, leg color, and feathering. Temperament is also very important, and I would keep a less correct bird over an aggressive better-looking bird.

Here were my 3 boys (now only one)



The left bird, although color wise was probably better, had a very crooked comb. The right two were very close, one was slightly larger, the other had a better comb and better tail set (that was the one I kept).

ditto 1muttsfan - Temperament is very important

1muttsfan said:

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

I just went through a similar selection process with 3 young cockerels, so it can be daunting. Take some time to sit and observe each of the birds as he moves around. What you are looking for is a bird that is shaped typically for the breed, looking at tail set, comb, leg color, and feathering. Temperament is also very important, and I would keep a less correct bird over an aggressive better-looking bird.

Here were my 3 boys (now only one)



The left bird, although color wise was probably better, had a very crooked comb. The right two were very close, one was slightly larger, the other had a better comb and better tail set (that was the one I kept).

Click to expand...

Eggcellent pictures and example -- so you kept the middle one? (from the photo the right one looks a bit bigger.....) They are all nice roos though.

Here are my boys.

- the first 3 pics are the lighter rooster. He has 5/6 spikes on his comb, is more timid with us but great at looking out for his girls. I like his colouring - he is leaner but I think a great shape. Oh, and he has an area of white (like on his earlobes) at the base of his comb on one side?

- the second 2 pics are the darker rooster. He only has 4 spikes on his comb (should be 5 - 7 we think?), pecked my camera when I was taking the shots and is very untolerant of our Maran cockerel. My husband thinks his markings are better.

But we're no experts - over to you guys and gals for your comments?

Really appreciate your feedback and thanks for all your replies so far.

They're pretty!

Too many chickens? - I don't think you can have too many as long as they're happy!

Remember that all the advice you are going to get from photos is going to be based upon photos....and review the advice accordingly.

Your first rooster in the third picture looks to have the more correct tail-angle, stance and a longer back. I have heard that a crooked comb is very difficult to correct in crested birds - but others may have different views. Could the white on his comb be scar tissue?

Both are very nice roosters. Depending upon where you are, you may be able to sell the one that you don't want to another CL person.

I tend to agree with your husband about the markings, autosexing is dependent on the rooster's barring genetics, and autosexing is the biggest bonus for CLs - and we are so used to it now that we don't even realize the long process others go through to know the sex of their chicks. Were the headspots on these equally defined when they were chicks? Any chick pictures to share with the group to help you decide?

As drumstick diva said...temperament is very important. Is that the reason that you like the first one better? Last question--what is the source of your roosters, did you get fertile eggs, day old chicks or were they older when you got them?

I put a link to your thread in one of the other legbar threads.

Here are my thoughts:

I would personally choose the second. I like his type, although I think his back could be a little longer. His earlobes also look a little too big. He is a beautiful color, nice yellow legs, great crest and straight comb!

I don't like the crest on the first roo, it looks like it goes down really far over his neck. He also is broader and more muscular. The first roo also has that white spot you mentioned above his earlobes. He is definitely striking, but he reminds me of a Spitzhauben with his spots! He is definitely pretty!

They both have nice tail sets, and carry their wings well tucked. Who did you get them from?

If you have problems with his temperament, try this:

When he starts to be a bully, reach down, pick him up, and flip him over on his back with his neck under your arm and hold him tightly so he can't get away. Hold him like that for several minutes, the longer the better, until he is calm and not fighting you. Ignore him while you are doing this. I go about feeding or petting the other birds while I do this. Then when he is calm, set him back down. He should move away. Do this every time he gets in your space, it shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 times before he gets the point. Just be calm, consistent, and don't yell or hit him. I have a big Barred Rock cockerel that only needed to be handled like this about 3 times before he got the message that it would not be tolerated-he was beginning to try to attack me. Now he is watchful, but keeps his distance. My 6-year-old daughter likes to be his teacher to keep him in line! Mean roosters will not be tolerated at this house, and we have killed a rooster who was not able to be taught. We had two Orpingtons-father and son. They started attacking me when I was 8 months pregnant and too big and slow to catch him and he knew it. Unfortunately, he kept getting bolder because he knew he could get away with it. The father was just mean, so he was killed. The son was "rescued" by a friend who bought my whole flock to give to a friend. He attacked her the day she got him, and when she gave them to her friend he tried it one time. He was caught so fast and was thoroughly humiliated, and has never tried it since-a year later.
Good luck! Ultimately, the decision is yours and you have to live with the roo, so choose the one that fits YOU best! You've chosen the best breed to get started!