help me choose a blue orp to keep... (new pics)

[speckledhen]

Pick body type over comb, every time. It's easier to breed up to a proper comb than to get proper body type later on. Trust me.

 

[SpringChickens]

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That's my thought, too. You can select for hens with nice combs to balance him out

 

[pips&peeps]

I would pick #1. Do you have a side view?

Number 2 looks to have some red leaking through in the hackles and don't like his tail set.

Number 3 appears to have no lacing and too light of a blue for breeding. Do you have a picture of the breast on him?

I personally go for color and body type kind of 50-50 when looking at which birds to keep.

 

[farmergal]

Wow, I am absolutely humbled by Jean's observations. *dope slaps self* DUH, I forgot to look at color!! (Clearly I have yet to earn my "wings" in the chicken world, I'm still a dodo.)

Actually, both #2 and #3 have red leaking through in the hackles, although #3 has the most. #1 has by far the best color (darkest blue, most lacing) and the hackles tend towards black -- whereas in #2 and #3 they tend, weirdly, towards brown/red.

So now I'm not just thinking about body type and comb, I'm thinking about color. Yikes!

Here's a pic of #1 from the side (color slightly darker and lacing more visible in person -- the flash washed him out):

Here's a pic showing the redness in the hackles of #3:

OK... so do I keep #1, who is slightly smaller than the other birds but has the best color? Or do I have to keep two of the roos to try to diversify my genetic pool of size and color? Unfortunately I haven't had the greatest luck hatching out shipped BBS Orp eggs, I've only ended up with 2 splash hens, so my biggest choice is with the rooster. (I've had good luck with other breeds, but the BBS Orps seem super sensitive to shipping.) Unfortunately I'm starting from a very small base here.... any more advice appreciated and thanks for the help so far!

 

[Krys109uk]

I agree with Speckled Hen.....type first. Type makes the breed. Red leakage is also a problem. Colour makes the variety.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

You want your body type and good color/lacing if a blue, nice green sheen if a black, comb type comes in last in my opinion.

 

[speckledhen]

It's so hard to get everything in one specimen! I know because I'm trying with my Delawares and it isn't easy. Yeah, the red leakage is a problem, certainly.

 

[quiltnchik]

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Same here! #3 is one handsome roo!

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I would pick number one but I don't have any super cool reasons like everyone else other than I like number one's color better.

 

[vtsarahb]

I vote for #2