Cannot decide on a rooster for mixed flock

[lazy gardener]

In order to be called an Ameraucana, the bird in question has to meet the color criteria for the specific colored birds that are accepted into the Am SOP. That criteria is quite limited. The bird has to breed true for that specific color, and, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but bottoms of feet should be black/slate. He's a very pretty EE, and IMO, EE are superior to Ams b/c they are better layers, and possess some of that hybrid vigor. Again, this is MY opinion!

 

[Carpenter]

Not a standard color. That makes him an Easter Egger.

Thanks! Good to know.

 

[Carpenter]

In order to be called an Ameraucana, the bird in question has to meet the color criteria for the specific colored birds that are accepted into the Am SOP. That criteria is quite limited. The bird has to breed true for that specific color, and, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but bottoms of feet should be black/slate. He's a very pretty EE, and IMO, EE are superior to Ams b/c they are better layers, and possess some of that hybrid vigor. Again, this is MY opinion!

Thanks! I learned something new today.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’ll link to a summary of the Ameraucana Standard to meet copyright rules. This is not the complete standard and does not give the color required for the soles of the feet. I can’t remember what the right color is but yellow is a disqualification.

http://ameraucanabreedersclub.org/standard.html

As you can see there are a lot of things that make an Ameraucana an Ameraucana, it’s not just feather color.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I like New Hampshires. My rooster is a good roo.He races to hens when he hears the cackling,he also has thrown himself between my dog and a hen,not too sure what his actions would be if a hawk or wild animal grabbed a hen (Almost curious to see.)

Not all roosters will come with this.But,I will mention that he is a very active breeder.

As for a RIR (I wouldn't suggest keeping a rooster).They are mean, and 5 month old rir Cockeral is beginning to become a little "Hostile" with me I have noticed.8 out of 10 a lot of Rhode island reds do not do good with other chickens.And from what I have read,the roosters usually do not do good with other roosters.I had 2 RIR hens along time ago in my very first few chickens and they made the hens look as if I had a terrifying rooster in the pen (And I didn't have one at all),they made one of my calm,quite hens bleed from her back.Eventually they became like a Virus,and many of the chickens started Bullying eachother.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Unless you ordered straight run chicks I only see two options open to you right now and that's if your eggs hatch- Black Copper Marans and Olive Egger. From how I'm reading what you have for stock those hatching eggs are your only source for roosters. Either one will impart color to the eggs of any offspring. I've had horrible cock birds and now have very well behaved birds only. I'll never attempt to deal with a poorly behaved rooster again. Just keep the best behaved male. The first test is when males hit sexual maturity, cull the derelicts. The next big test is spring weather and when the cocks have a surge of hormones. You'll notice red on legs and between toes. If during this high hormone mating period you can still turn your back on a male and bend over to pick of the feed bucket or exchange water without them flogging your back they are a keeper. All others make good roasters or gumbo and are not worth the hassle. Temperment is hereditary- breeding jerks begets more jerks. Not worth the effort.

 

[donrae]

Since you don't have specific breeding goals, I say don't chose by breed. Instead, chose by bird.

You have eggs in the incubtor, so you're going to have cockerels. I don't see the point in running out and buying a male right now, you'll have some to choose from soon enough.

Raise those boys up and see who you like. See who is respectful to you, and pretty to look at. By the time they're 4 months or so, you'll likely have a favorite that's wormed his way into your heart. It may not be the breed you thought you would have wanted, but it will be the bird you want.

 

[WoolyMantis]

I think I will wait and see if one of my eggs turns out to be a roo. Kinda hoping one of the BCM's turns out to be a good one. My big girls can probably do without a roo for a while, I worry about them with predators but they at least have our llamas to protect them. We are already talking about having two flocks later so I may end up with 2 roos eventually. Thanks a bunch for all the responses, I've narrowed it down a bit.

 

[DurangoChickens]

I got 17 chicks in the first week of June, and they are now 4 months old. We decided upon getting a Salmon Faverolle rooster, Lorenzo. He is one of the sweetest chickens in our mixed flock of 9 different breeds!!! He is also very handsome

I would recommend this breed to anyone.

 

[WoolyMantis]

I haven't read up on that breed, I will check them out.