Bird update... the Chanteclers are growing well and I think I have some nice birds to breed from.
Green Band/Tank
Absolutely massive cockerel. Has flaws in colour and backline from an SOP standpoint but his vigour and general manner (better than the other two cockerels by a tad) means I will probably hatch some chicks from him and see if they're terribly off or not. Might use him to try and get female birds up to snuff. Unfortunately, he has rather crude headgear which is not good for frostbite issues, but it's ignorable at this point.
Hopefully this shows the size difference. Tank's in the back.
Blue Band/Java
Nice bird, needs to fill out more. Active and well built. Nice small comb and wattles which is a production trait here in the frozen north.
Yellow Band/Carey
Love the colour on this one. Practically identical to Java in manner and size; perhaps a slight build difference but not enough that I've managed to pin down what it is.
Orange Band---cull
Inferior in SOP type and production type, I think. I'll give her a stay of cull anyway until she lays, since I hate wasting a pullet. Maybe she'll surprise me and be worth her keep in eggs or as a mother.
Clear Band/Alex
Love back and tail on this one. She's very wide all the way through her back, well filled out, and her health is excellent. She's supposed to have pencilling but we all have to start somewhere, eh? I have a feeling she'll be a good layer---I hope that feeling is right. She looks more mature than the other birds because she's about a half month older, so I have to be careful not to let that guide my decisions.
