American Gamefowl

[JShubin]

 

[roosterhavoc]

It makes sense in a way to let them sort out their own problems and keep the best ones

Yes but I still can’t let them go too long or they will mangle each other.

 

[ShannonR]

View attachment 1959483

The dark legs from what I am seeing are more popular on this color. Should I start to sort out and cull the ones with yellow legs, or does that matter?

 

[ShannonR]

Yes but I still can’t let them go too long or they will mangle each other.

That's kind of what I have been thinking about. Humanity issues aside, is there anything wrong with just letting them do that and keeping the ones who come out on top of the totem pole? I do know what I am in for if I do this. But, they have to go one way or another

 

[JShubin]

The dark legs from what I am seeing are more popular on this color. Should I start to sort out and cull the ones with yellow legs, or does that matter?

I've always liked Dark leg birds but Yellow legs on BBR are very popular, probably more so than dark legs. Many good breeds people have today like Kelso, Radio, Roundhead, Claret, Sweaters, etc have yellow legs.

 

[JShubin]

One of my Asil grades, very good bird with yellow legs

 

[JShubin]

 

[roosterhavoc]

@ShannonR
More than likely the birds are all recently all mixed up so you will probably get all kinds of leg colors, comb types and feather patterns with any you decide to keep.
Imo it’s better to pick the healthiest strongest, toughest birds regardless of color.
Once they mature you’ll need to pen them if they’re worth keeping. You’ll see some full grown birds posted here from time to time running with other stags. They’re total junk. It’s up to you though what kind of bird you want. If you don’t care about having “game” fowl then none of it really matters.

 

[ShannonR]

View attachment 1959493
One of my Asil grades, very good bird with yellow legs

I was thinking to myself your birds look awfully athletic compared with my current Games. I kind of halfway recognised that thinner, muscular upright stance from raising oriental fowl.

Once upon a time, I properly separated my birds and had enough pens to go around lol

 

[ShannonR]

@ShannonR
More than likely the birds are all recently all mixed up so you will probably get all kinds of leg colors, comb types and feather patterns with any you decide to keep.
Imo it’s better to pick the healthiest strongest, toughest birds regardless of color.
Once they mature you’ll need to pen them if they’re worth keeping. You’ll see some full grown birds posted here from time to time running with other stags. They’re total junk. It’s up to you though what kind of bird you want. If you don’t care about having “game” fowl then none of it really matters.

So I don't really care about the game part, but I do realize the importance in keeping the integrity of the breed intact. If game birds don't have any game left in them, they are nothing but lawn ornaments. That's why I don't really mind letting them roam and stay predator savvy, and settle most of their own arguments. I do want to move a little more towards a uniform look, whatever you might see at a show but don't really know how to do that with these.

I like the spangled ones a lot, but pretty isn't going to cut it.