Barbu de Watermael thread?

[Amer]

He's going through his juvenile antics, that's something that can't be deterred. It's like all chickens at that age behave a certain way especially cockerels. I have 7 cockerels behaving similar to yours. Some are more intense than the others, but it's a learning process for them. It will be like that till there age catches up to them.

But as a potential breeder, he doesn't necessarily need your attention and can be confined for a while.

The second part I agree with. The first part, however, well Stripes is two years old, he's my aggressive one.

 

[Roosters Egg]

I'm not sure. there are a few people breeding them, but mine are Australian imports which makes them kind of unique I think. I don't want to be bit though.

My issue with shipping is there unreliability and careless handling during Covid and after.

I have heard that the Belgian rooster's aggression is legendary. I'm pleased to be experiencing that first hand

He bites when I go to pick him up, yes. He also grabs my hair and pulls (I need a haircut, it's almost long enough for me to sit on it), kicks my shoes, bites and pulls my pants hem.

To bad he’s a stinker. He’s such a pretty boy. I have some people wanting roosters. How soon can you tell if there going to have the three spike comb? A lot have nice ones but some have one or two spikes. Do they change any after two month?

 

[SarahLadd]

To bad he’s a stinker. He’s such a pretty boy. I have some people wanting roosters. How soon can you tell if there going to have the three spike comb? A lot have nice ones but some have one or two spikes. Do they change any after two month?

His comb is trifid, but the entire hatch has the gene for the rough texture. Kristen Garrison has been working on her comb genetics for long enough to have worked that gene out of her flock. She's distributed birds to several members of the Society; Steampup Parlor's foundation flock is from her which is why her birds combs are smooth, too. Additionally, watermael hens seem to have a lower incidence of quality comb shape. Breeders with roosters sporting sexy combs report still struggling with quality combs in hens.

What I'm not sure of, is whether the textured comb is a fault, or a preference.

IMHO, the general shape of the comb is pretty easy to tell on the boys by week 4. You can see any little nubs that will expand with age. If you see a comb with two little nubs up top, you're gonna have two big nubs as an adult.

As an aside, my husband has decided to bond with Agate over their "maleness", or something. He claims to understand him and "we're cool, listen to him coo, he's happy". Awesome, he's your chicken now

 

[Roosters Egg]

His comb is trifid, but the entire hatch has the gene for the rough texture. Kristen Garrison has been working on her comb genetics for long enough to have worked that gene out of her flock. She's distributed birds to several members of the Society; Steampup Parlor's foundation flock is from her which is why her birds combs are smooth, too. Additionally, watermael hens seem to have a lower incidence of quality comb shape. Breeders with roosters sporting sexy combs report still struggling with quality combs in hens.

What I'm not sure of, is whether the textured comb is a fault, or a preference.

IMHO, the general shape of the comb is pretty easy to tell on the boys by week 4. You can see any little nubs that will expand with age. If you see a comb with two little nubs up top, you're gonna have two big nubs as an adult.

Is 2 months to early to tell? I have 4 girls showing three spike and 4 boys with great ones

 

[SarahLadd]

Is 2 months to early to tell? I have 4 girls showing three spike and 4 boys with great ones

I wouldn't think so... But my house is bristling with optics. I have no shame, I will admit I have put a chicken underneath my Leica A60 microscope. My husband's DSLR plus macro lens shares all secrets, in a way I can share. So if I think I can't see, I use a tool to see better.

I had a barbu d'anvers cockerel with an inverted spike comb that was apparent by 3 weeks. His name became Nipple.

 

[Roosters Egg]

I wouldn't think so... But my house is bristling with optics. I have no shame, I will admit I have put a chicken underneath my Leica A60 microscope. My husband's DSLR plus macro lens shares all secrets, in a way I can share. So if I think I can't see, I use a tool to see better.

I had a barbu d'anvers cockerel with an inverted spike comb that was apparent by 3 weeks. His name became Nipple.

Lol. I may want to watch the girls and couple of boys a little Longer. Some have bumps like they could get a spike. Overall I’ve been really impressed with my birds from Kristen. comb and type

 

[SarahLadd]

Ah, I found a photo of Nipple. You can kinda see he's got somethin' iffy going on up there.

 

[Amer]

His comb is trifid, but the entire hatch has the gene for the rough texture. Kristen Garrison has been working on her comb genetics for long enough to have worked that gene out of her flock. She's distributed birds to several members of the Society; Steampup Parlor's foundation flock is from her which is why her birds combs are smooth, too. Additionally, watermael hens seem to have a lower incidence of quality comb shape. Breeders with roosters sporting sexy combs report still struggling with quality combs in hens.

What I'm not sure of, is whether the textured comb is a fault, or a preference.

IMHO, the general shape of the comb is pretty easy to tell on the boys by week 4. You can see any little nubs that will expand with age. If you see a comb with two little nubs up top, you're gonna have two big nubs as an adult.

As an aside, my husband has decided to bond with Agate over their "maleness", or something. He claims to understand him and "we're cool, listen to him coo, he's happy". Awesome, he's your chicken now

Sounds like me, but with Buckeye coloring. I’m getting perfect wings and surface color on the males, but the females get all kinds of unevenness and black flecks. However, I find that it’s any every other year thing. One year, one sex will be far superior, the next the other will be. I think it might have to do with the Z chromosome.

 

[Roosters Egg]

Ah, I found a photo of Nipple. You can kinda see he's got somethin' iffy going on up there.View attachment 3189883

Nipples a handsome guy. Got some good advice from Kristen on my watermaal. I’m wanting to keep some blue quail color from my two boys. My blue quail biggest (best collor) guy has two spikes but she said technically there’s three. And to breed him one year to my best triple girl and keep back the best blue quail triples. Then don’t use him. The other blue with three bumps on comb is not worth using in the line. The keeper picture. Any one spikes boy or girl not to use. Don’t know about textured combs.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I have heard that the Belgian rooster's aggression is legendary. I'm pleased to be experiencing that first hand

He bites when I go to pick him up, yes. He also grabs my hair and pulls (I need a haircut, it's almost long enough for me to sit on it), kicks my shoes, bites and pulls my pants hem.

This little b-hole was the cutest, most infuriating thing on the planet. He didn't care if your back was turned or not; he'd come to get you. I just scooped him up when I was out there feeding and watering because I was terrified I'd step on him. He was always a brat. But very small, so it didn't bother me.