Australorp?

[BigBlueHen53]

This handsome boy was Elvis, my first roo. He was a sweetie, and I'd like to have another like him, but I don't really know what he was. Could he have been an Australorp? He's not at his best here, his tail was in moult, apparently, but this is the best pic I have. He was clean-legged as I recall, or may have had vestigial leg feathers, and yellow legs. Beak is partly black. Single comb, noble wattles, red eye. He was the singingest rooster ever, and was well named Elvis! He crowed the clock around! He also had easily 3" spurs which made him an awkward breeder but he didn't harm or strip the hens. Edited to add pic.

 

[sylviethecochin]

yellow skin = Black Jersey Giant.

I hope you find a good roo.

 

[AmyJane725]

Hm, I don't remember him being much bigger than the hens ... what color skin do Australs have? I know Harvey, @Peppercorngal 's Jersey Giant, is humongous, and aelvis was not that big....

I was leaning Australorp, but I did some googling and found this pic. This is a Jersey Giant rooster. He has legs like Elvis, and the same beak. Maybe Elvis was a hatchery JG. They don't get as huge as breeder ones do.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/38/fe/3f/38fe3fa7a70cc0c5e47a1f315613e4db.jpg

 

[ShannonR]

Doesn't really look like an australorp to me, and leg color is wrong for the breed. Jersey giant maybe

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks, @ShannonR ! That's 2 for Jersey Giant! I never would thunk it!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I got him from a sweet, generous lady at church who loves chickens and helped us set up our first flock of mixed birds. She had a few too many roosters so encouraged us to take our pick. This boy just caught my heart! My best guess is he was a hatchery bird, as she used to order chicks every year and of course ended up with a few too many roos each time. ... well, I may have to order me one next spring. Can they be sexed at hatch?

 

[Thesweetbirdsflock]

Can they be sexed at hatch?

Not really.

 

[MROO]

Thanks to all who have replied. Hmm. Now I guess I go on a hunt.

Start with The Livestock Conservancy: www.livestockconservancy.org. They maintain a list of breeders, so you might get lucky and find your rooster quickly. Good Luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hm, I don't remember him being much bigger than the hens ... what color skin do Australs have? I know Harvey, @Peppercorngal 's Jersey Giant, is humongous, and aelvis was not that big....

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks, @sylviethecochin . Does yellow feet = yellow skin?