Characteristics of different breeds of roosters

[klcabe]

I have two partridge rock cockerels that are roughly 3 months old, and I'm wanting to get rid of them and get an unrelated rooster to put in with my hens (I have 2 buff orpingtons, a barred rock, a Rhode Island red, and 4 partridge rock hens).

I'm wondering if I get, say, an Americauna roo, will he pass on the EE genes, or is the shell color/size/etc. solely dependent upon the breed of the hen?
Secondly, should I get a mature roo or one closer to their age?
Should I just get rid of the two I have and wait until next year to get a mature roo, after my hens are already laying?


Any suggestions on breeds?

 

[Bullitt]

I am not an expect about breeding chickens for egg color. But I am guessing that at least half of the hens produced from an Ameraucana rooster would lay blue or green eggs. All the hens may lay the blue/green eggs. I don't know.

I understand that it is more difficult to find an Ameraucana (which meets breed standards) than an easter egger, which can be similar to an Ameraucana or an Araucana and can lay a variety of egg colors.

You did not say how old your hens are. If they are pullets and are not fully grown, I think it would be best to get a rooster that is pretty close in age. If the hens are fully grown, you should get a rooster that is fully grown or very close to being grown.

Are you just interested in having colorful eggs? What other qualities do you want from the chickens that are produced?

 

[farmerChef]

you should get a rooster at least as old as the pullets. All of your pullets are brown egg layers, so if you put a blue egg rooster over them, you will get green or brown eggs. If you get an Easter egger roo, you wont know for sure if he has the blue egg gene until you breed him. I suggest finding a real Ameraucana from a breeder.
When the chicks hatch, the chicks with single combs will almost always lay brown eggs, and the chicks with pea combs will most likely lay green eggs.

 

[klcabe]

Bullitt, they are all the same age - around 3 months old.

The reason we got the chickens in the first place was for egg production, and maybe meat as well, but egg production was/is our main goal. We aren't into showing or anything like that. I do like friendly chickens that are approachable; especially since they will be more or less free ranged.

I really just wondered about how the egg color genetics would work if I got an EE roo.

 

[Bullitt]

If you are mostly interested in eggs and maybe meat from the chickens that are produced, I would suggest you get a Rhode Island Red rooster. Rhode Island Reds are one of the best breeds for laying brown eggs, because the hens will lay an average of 5 eggs a week in the first year. Rhode Island Reds are also hardy and are good for meat.

Ameraucanas will lay an average of 3 eggs a week in the first year. So the offspring from an Ameraucana rooster and your pullets will all produce fewer eggs than the breeds you have.

 

[klcabe]

I've >>heard<< that RIR roosters are usually nasty. Is this true?

 

[farmerChef]

Its usually the hatchery roosters that can be nasty, they are breed for egg production more then anything else. That's why some breeds, like their "Ameraucanas" and "Araucanas" don't meet the breed standards. And why laced birds often have poor lacing, or you get birds with the wrong comb, leg color, etc. Not saying hatchery birds are bad all around, I have some and have an order for more in july (though mostly meat birds). It all depends on what you want them for.

 

[Bullitt]

I've >>heard<< that RIR roosters are usually nasty. Is this true?

Some roosters of most breeds can be aggressive. I suggest observing the rooster you plan to buy, and I think you can quickly determine if the rooster is calm or aggressive.

I looked on Craigslist's Ashville, NC section, because I saw that was your area.

You can buy a 6-month-old Rhode Island Red rooster for $10. http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/3045434740.html

Or you can buy a 3-month-old Partridge Plymouth Rock cockerel for $8, or two of them for $10. It states one has a crooked beak, so I would not use that one for breeding. http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/3092301058.html

The person states they are willing to trade also. I am starting to suspect this may be your ad. But I hope not.

You mentioned that you already have 4 Partridge Rock pullets, and these roosters are the same age as your pullets, so this might be a good option for you. Partridge Rocks are good dual-purpose chickens, and the hens will lay an average of 4 eggs a week in the first year.

If you got the 6-month-old RIR, I would suggest keeping him separate from your pullets for a couple of months until the pullets are fully grown.

 

[MammasBabies]

Rhode Island roos tend to "tear up" the hens back pretty bad. Too aggressive....even those hand raised. Believe me I have experienced this situation first hand. Try a full sized americauna roo or even an orpington roo. They tend to be "nicer" to their hens.

 

[SouthernChicka8]

Im on my second RIR roo, And this one is a meany as well.. And hes only about 5 months old. Hes very feisty and has already begun flogging me.. I have a mature Buff orpington that is just so friendly and loves for me to carry him around like a big baby. Hes not aggressive at all. Im debating what to do with the feisty lil fella though... But he might stay..