Chicken Breed Focus - Sebright

[GitaBooks]

Posted this on another sebright thread which I know several of us are on both, but I'd like as many opinions as possible.

Question - I am getting rid of one of my 3 male GSs, but I can't decide which one. Temperaments are all about the same, one is maybe a little friendlier to me but seems like the instigator in picking fights with the others. But nothing to really base on by behavior.

My question is just going on looks, should I choose the largest or the smallest two to keep? Pick the best combs? Pick the best looking tail and hackles feathers?
And on hackle feathers, I have a couple females that are a bit darker around the neck and head, and a couple that are lighter. They are only about 5 months old, so I can't really tell how that will factor in later.

Any tips or comments appreciated!

I'm not an expert on Sebrights, but from what I know smaller is considered better. Ours are hatchery quality so they are fairly large as far as bantams go, which makes them hardier (small sebrights are notorious for being delicate) but it doesn't match the breed standard as well.

Feathers are also very important, as sebright roosters are known for their hen-feathering. However, to get a really good male choosing the one that matured first will certainly get you a good breeder. I've found choosing one of the first in command tends to get you a good rooster.

A good, fanned tail is very important in sebrights, so tail would be more important then hackle feathers I would think.

As for the females, they can take a long time to get their full coloration so it can be hard to tell if a light one will get too light and if a dark one will stay too dark. However, as long as they are healthy and of proper color and shape they should make good breeders.

Sometimes when you get rid of a number of roosters the one you keep may change in behavior, so watch for this. Try to choose one that doesn't seem extremely interested in you as I have found the friendliest roosters tend to be the most aggressive as they mature and the more nervous roosters seem to settle down and become quite tame upon maturing.

I hope this helps you choose.

 

[WVduckchick]

Excellent info! Thank you so much! @GitaBooks

 

[GitaBooks]

Your welcome.
Best of luck on your project!

 

[WVduckchick]

The male that matured the fastest is the largest, and seems to have taken the lead role. I think I might keep him and the smallest, and let go of the middle one in size. This kinda corresponds with tail feathering also, as far as I can tell at this young age. I'll try to get some individual pics soon too.

 

[Faraday40]

Here's an updated pic of our our Sebright, Trouble.


She's over 7 mo old & has yet to lay an egg. While the flock scratches in the mud, she rests in the trees. I often get surprised when I throw down some scratch to have a bird land on my head. Although not pleasant, it's nice to know she thinks I'm a safe place to land. I've been working with her to jump up onto my arm when I say, "Up." This would be a preferred spot to land - especially when I'm not expecting it. Thankfully, she likes her home & stays near the flock. I would never be able to catch her if she decided to run away from me. (Another reason for my training.)

She's kind of a cry-baby & likes to screech a bit if things don't go her way- ie: not enough treats thrown in her direction. She has our roo tied around her little toe. Poor guy was cold, wet, & wanted to go back inside, but Trouble wanted to scratch around some more. He stood guard over her even though she's only 1/6 his size and unable to mate a LF Orpington. Even if he wanted to try, she's way too fast for him.

 

[WVduckchick]

@Faraday40 she's so pretty! Keep us posted on the training, i agree the arm would be better than the head! Lol

About what age is normal for sebrights to start laying? Mine are about 6 months old.

 

[GitaBooks]

@Faraday40 she's so pretty! Keep us posted on the training, i agree the arm would be better than the head! Lol

About what age is normal for sebrights to start laying? Mine are about 6 months old.

I think they usually start laying between 16-22 weeks of age, depending on the strain. Sebrights are good layers and my pullet I think just started laying (if the tiny egg I found outside was hers). In chickens minds it is spring now that the sun is coming out more, so a lot of hens will likely start laying around now.

I hope she starts soon!

 

[WVduckchick]

Thanks Gita. I just counted and they are 22 weeks. I agree, now that the days are finally getting longer, I think they will all start soon.

I have 9 month old lavender orpingtons also, a couple of them had started laying sporadically in Dec and Jan, but haven't gotten an egg from them in almost 2 weeks. They better get on the ball!

 

[Faraday40]

My Sebright is now over 31 weeks! Her comb has finally developed. Like a pop up turkey thermometer, the comb & wattles just appeared this past week. Perhaps she'll make up for lost time when she eventually begins to lay. We're also farther north which is not ideal for this breed. Today it was warm enough for much of the snow to melt,. At least she has plenty of fluffy orps to keep her warm.

*Every night she has a habit of flying up to the top of the run. She uses the power cord for the water heater as a roost Because I want her inside the coop, I have her hop onto my arm & I tuck her into bed between 2 orps. I wonder where she'll try to sleep when I no longer need the water heater?

 

[GitaBooks]

That's so sweet that she hops onto your arm like that! My chickens will try to jump on my arms, but its generally when I don't expect it and its generally my Jersey Giant who weighs a lot and sure has sharp claws!