BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[DesertChic]

Additionally, if the feet of both hens and cock-birds are properly cared for, they will survive much longer, avoiding crippling, loss of egg reduction and a bunch of things that a miserable chicken in chronic pain (much like humans) is open to.

Can you just use the same kind of trimmers that you use for dog's nails? I've got a couple girls with 5 toes that really need manicures on those 5th toes.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Can you just use the same kind of trimmers that you use for dog's nails? I've got a couple girls with 5 toes that really need manicures on those 5th toes.

That's what I used, the ones that look like pruning shears. But I stopped cutting, and found that a coarse nail file takes the very sharp tip off without the bleeding. (Just don't let anyone see you doing that.

)

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Additionally, if the feet of both hens and cock-birds are properly cared for, they will survive much longer, avoiding crippling, loss of egg reduction and a bunch of things that a miserable chicken in chronic pain (much like humans) is open to.

I had a rooster that had polydactyly and duck feet, his feet were a mess. He was a nice fellow and very interesting, he was almost perfectly round and I wondered if he might have good meat producing genes so I kept him around. But at around 8 months I suppose he got too heavy and I could see his feet were bothering him, so I culled him.

 

[DesertChic]

Okay, I need to beg for input from fresher and wiser eyes and minds than mine. I'm really struggling with whether I should keep or cull this boy. His black and gold feathering have completely won over my husband since those are his favorite colors, and he's a decent size....but I have so many extra cockerels.

Mags is the son of my former Ameraucana-mix rooster, Copper, and my best Australorp hen, Evie. He's by no means my biggest boy but not bad. Other than being pretty, do you see anything I don't that would make him a keeper?

 

[Beekissed]

That's what I used, the ones that look like pruning shears. But I stopped cutting, and found that a coarse nail file takes the very sharp tip off without the bleeding. (Just don't let anyone see you doing that.

)

I found a nice little dremmel works wonders for taking down nails and spurs...fast too. Come breeding season I usually do a pedicure on the rooster, dulling down all points and the sharp edges at the bottom of the nail...no blood.

At other times of the year, when I see a nail here and there needing trimmed, I usually just use a pair of spring handled wire cutters that fit my hand well.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Okay, I need to beg for input from fresher and wiser eyes and minds than mine. I'm really struggling with whether I should keep or cull this boy. His black and gold feathering have completely won over my husband since those are his favorite colors, and he's a decent size....but I have so many extra cockerels.

Mags is the son of my former Ameraucana-mix rooster, Copper, and my best Australorp hen, Evie. He's by no means my biggest boy but not bad. Other than being pretty, do you see anything I don't that would make him a keeper?

Hmmmm......... not wiser, but....... are you looking for reasons to keep him? Or cull him? No need to feel guilty for keeping him "just" for being pretty. After all, chicken keeping should be a pleasure as well as for production. If he's a nice boy, I'd be happy to see him each morning! I just love that colour combination. And who knows, maybe you'll want a line of blue- egg laying naked necks someday.

 

[Molpet]

Quote:Originally Posted by DesertChic


Okay, I need to beg for input from fresher and wiser eyes and minds than mine. I'm really struggling with whether I should keep or cull this boy. His black and gold feathering have completely won over my husband since those are his favorite colors, and he's a decent size....but I have so many extra cockerels.

Mags is the son of my former Ameraucana-mix rooster, Copper, and my best Australorp hen, Evie. He's by no means my biggest boy but not bad. Other than being pretty, do you see anything I don't that would make him a keeper?






A happy Hubby is a good thing...if he only wants one chicken keep him for at least a while

 

[Beekissed]

I'd say it depends on your goals....do you want any of the traits from these two breeds in his mix?

 

[ejcrist]

Okay, I need to beg for input from fresher and wiser eyes and minds than mine. I'm really struggling with whether I should keep or cull this boy. His black and gold feathering have completely won over my husband since those are his favorite colors, and he's a decent size....but I have so many extra cockerels.

Mags is the son of my former Ameraucana-mix rooster, Copper, and my best Australorp hen, Evie. He's by no means my biggest boy but not bad. Other than being pretty, do you see anything I don't that would make him a keeper?

Now this is just my personal opinion and nothing more so take it with a grain of salt. First. I see why your husband likes him because he is a handsome fellow, and like Canadian Buckeye said, that's reason enough if you want to keep him around. From a utility perspective I'd probably eat him though since he's not a pedigree which I personally prefer if given the choice. Also he has a pea comb from what I can tell and supposedly that's more of a detriment in a hot climate based on what I read. I like roosters the most for their beauty but unless I was planning on breeding him I'd eat 'em every time since they only take up space and feed unlike a hen which gives you eggs back. That's all just my own personal way of looking at it though and I'll back you up no matter what you decide to do. For a mix he has to be one of the handsomest birds I ever saw - very nice lookin' fella.

 

[DesertChic]

Hmmmm......... not wiser, but....... are you looking for reasons to keep him? Or cull him? No need to feel guilty for keeping him "just" for being pretty. After all, chicken keeping should be a pleasure as well as for production. If he's a nice boy, I'd be happy to see him each morning! I just love that colour combination. And who knows, maybe you'll want a line of blue- egg laying naked necks someday.

I guess I'm looking for reasons not to cull him. His best attribute is most definitely his looks. His personality is so-so. He actually went through a pretty nasty period where he was almost constantly biting me, but since including him in the same pen as my "three amigos", three exceptionally sweet roosters that I totally adore, they've set him straight. No biting the mother clucker!

I actually have 1 blue egg laying NN and 1 mint green laying NN and 1 olive egger NN, all with single combs, good meat, and sweet personalities. I know I could use this guy to give me more black feathered birds that also lay blue to green eggs...but I'm just not sure if it's worth the effort.

As an FYI, I've got 18 roosters to 52 hens, with most of the roosters penned up together in their own runs and 5 primaries caring for the girls. That's a lot of crowing.