Best Rooster to mix?

[SilkiesRcool]

I have a flock of all hens there breeds are 8 EE's, 1 welsummer, 1jersey giant, 2 Americauna, and 2 silkie EE crosses. I also have five silkies but I am separating them. I was using a silkie rooster for this flock but i would like to get a different rooster and separate the silkies since some of the bigger hens pick on the smallest silkie. I would like a breed of rooster that would give me lots of variety as far as color of baby chicks go. I would like to sell chicks to cover the basic cost of feed. 7 of the EE's are muffed and bearded one is not. I would also like a fairly tame rooster as I have a 2 year old I don't want getting hurt. Thank you all for your advice

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would probably choose a rooster that is one of your breeds like an Easter egger or welsummer as purebred birds sell for more.

With a 2 year old no rooster is safe. Either don't keep a rooster or keep them confined as kids will often become a target and roosters will go for the face and eyes many times.

 

[SilkiesRcool]

I know the purebred will sell for more but I only have one welsummer and Easter eggers aren't a breed so I thought I could mix them and they'd still be considered EE. Correct me if I'm wrong I'm not positive

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Technically Easter eggers are a mixed breed, but they used to have a fixed type and laid colored eggs. Lately breeding is becoming more lax. If you cross a welsummer with an Easter egger that lays green or blue eggs you could make Oliver eggers but I'm not totally positive.

@junebuggena knows her EE and mixes better, perhaps she will answer this post.

 

[SilkiesRcool]

Ok and mine lay green,blue, and one lays tan so egg color isn't a big deal for me

 

[SilkiesRcool]

I was thinking of maybe a big white bramha rooster any opinions on them or with cross breeding to EE's

 

[JedJackson]

I was thinking of maybe a big white bramha rooster any opinions on them or with cross breeding to EE's

Brahmas aren't the best layers but if you like them, go for it. I would probably do an Easter Egger roo if I were in your shoes. They produce chicks of many different colors, the babies will be good layers, and birds that lay blue or green eggs are always popular.

 

[YdogsflY]

I have a flock of all hens there breeds are 8 EE's, 1 welsummer, 1jersey giant, 2 Americauna, and 2 silkie EE crosses. I also have five silkies but I am separating them. I was using a silkie rooster for this flock but i would like to get a different rooster and separate the silkies since some of the bigger hens pick on the smallest silkie. I would like a breed of rooster that would give me lots of variety as far as color of baby chicks go. I would like to sell chicks to cover the basic cost of feed. 7 of the EE's are muffed and bearded one is not. I would also like a fairly tame rooster as I have a 2 year old I don't want getting hurt. Thank you all for your advice

Being you are in Florida I would go check out Eight Acres. Luanne has great birds of some breeds that would be a good fit for what you're looking for. Also, males from some of her birds I have been around have been pretty tame. You might be able to pick up one of her cull males for cheap.

http://eightacresfarm.weebly.com/

 

[SilkiesRcool]

I think I'll probably get an EE since I have 12 chickens in that flock and 10 are EE or ameracauna. I was also wondering because I plan on separating my silkies would I put the crosses with the silkies or the EE. They can fly and have normal wings.

 

[JedJackson]

I think I'll probably get an EE since I have 12 chickens in that flock and 10 are EE or ameracauna. I was also wondering because I plan on separating my silkies would I put the crosses with the silkies or the EE. They can fly and have normal wings.

That's up to you. If the crosses are getting along with the birds in your big flock and not being picked on, then I would leave them where they are, especially if you are planning on breeding the Silkies.