I have 14 chicks hatched in May, half in my incubator, and half by a broody. 10 of them are a cross between Spitzhauben and Sebright, which I've abbreviated to Spright. I love both breeds and have looked forward to creating this blend. The Spright boys have developed fast, with prominent combs by 4 weeks, and crowing soon after. It looks like I have 5 of each. Of the 5 Spright cockerels, I would like to keep one but how to decide? Since it isn't a breed, there aren't physical characteristics that I am aiming for at this time, I just want the best disposition.
The current rooster, a Spitzhauben, was raised by a broody, and he's a gem, a complete gentleman. But his father, raised by me, was aggressive to humans. So I'm leaning twd keeping one of the broody's boys. Her 3 boys fight a lot amongst themselves though.
One of the 2 incubator boys, named R2D2 (hatched on Star Wars day, May the 4th) is very sociable and friendly. Always curious to see what I'm up to. He doesn't fight w his brother. I would lean twd keeping him because of that, but am aware that friendliness can lead to aggression.
I would appreciate any advice on making this decision!
The 2 groups are separate right now, w a fence between them as I plan to integrate when broody weans hers, and would like to have it narrowed down by then. (There are 4 Spitzhauben chicks amongst them, it's too early to sex them, that's another decision later. )
and here are 3 of the Spitzes w R2 or maybe that's C3PO
The Sprights are offspring of a silver spangled rooster and a silver laced hen, and they have both spangles and lacing. DH calls is spanglaced.
The current rooster, a Spitzhauben, was raised by a broody, and he's a gem, a complete gentleman. But his father, raised by me, was aggressive to humans. So I'm leaning twd keeping one of the broody's boys. Her 3 boys fight a lot amongst themselves though.
One of the 2 incubator boys, named R2D2 (hatched on Star Wars day, May the 4th) is very sociable and friendly. Always curious to see what I'm up to. He doesn't fight w his brother. I would lean twd keeping him because of that, but am aware that friendliness can lead to aggression.
I would appreciate any advice on making this decision!
The 2 groups are separate right now, w a fence between them as I plan to integrate when broody weans hers, and would like to have it narrowed down by then. (There are 4 Spitzhauben chicks amongst them, it's too early to sex them, that's another decision later. )
and here are 3 of the Spitzes w R2 or maybe that's C3PO
The Sprights are offspring of a silver spangled rooster and a silver laced hen, and they have both spangles and lacing. DH calls is spanglaced.
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