I agree with the whole last page of posts (#8) as well as most of the previous one. There seems to be a different definition of what constructive criticism is than the one that Im familiar with (it is something that people should look up). - I did not get to read all of the posts in this thread before they were edited, but the ones that I did were enough to get the picture.
The idea of getting a friend for the rooster that your step-dad (and everyone else) likes and hatching out the chicks is definitely the way that I would go - start with a sure thing, he sounds like a keeper and should breed the same.
Best of luck to you, and I (& many others) hope to see you posting again in the near future!
Best of luck!