Help me select the better cockeral

[GeneGoddess]

I hope this is the right forum. I have a batch of straight run Ameraucanas (equal parts Black, Blue, and Splash). One of my kids has expressed interest in showing them in the future whereas I'm more of a "friendly pets that lay eggs" type. Knowing that Splash is not an official color, we would like to keep one black and one blue cock for future breeding. The blue is selected, but not the black. May I ask for some input on which one might offer "better" traits. They are both approximately 12 weeks old and equal in size and general personality. I can't imagine that they are anywhere near show quality (maybe 4H show), but in the interest of improving the breed, we might as well select for desired traits.


Black A: was noticeably darker as a chick with an all black head/face and a darker chest. He has a prominent three row pea comb that is darker red in color and wider than the other's. He was also larger than the others and I guessed male from the beginning.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/black-a.7428496/




Black C: standard "tuxedo" coloring to all the other chicks in the batch (except the one above). He was smaller than the other chick and his comb was initially much paler (I was leaning female until 8weeks). Even now, the comb is almost more elongated with a central prominence. Now equal in size and weight to the one above.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/black-c.7428498/

 

[BreanneRN]

Well, 12 weeks is really too young to know how these young birds will turn out. Also, it is not really possible to evaluate these birds from pictures as would a judge at a show, who would put hands on and look at them move to evaluate body structure. Also, your pictures are not helpful for this kind of eval either. A good full body profile pic would be better, taken at the level of the bird. (Place bird on top of something so you can take a direct, straight on photo with focus at the wing level). If you really want to improve your birds, get rid of all of these roosters and find a breeder who knows what those judges look for and can help you select something that will work with your hens (they aren't perfect either and the rooster should complement them). While not showable, a Splash rooster can be valuable because when bred to a black hen, all the chicks will be blue. You don't mention your hens at all, which is leaving out half the equation. A big part of your evaluation should be what are those hens missing that the rooster will need to give to the chicks? You really need a breeder or a poultry judge familiar with the breed, at least IMHO... If that is not something you want to do, then study the standard and go to a few poultry shows and strike up some conversations. You will have time, because as I said before, it is too soon to know what any of these roosters will become.

 

[Pyxis]

Ameraucanas aren't my breed, so I can't help you picking which is better, but I can point you to this thread, where there should be some people who can help evaluate:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lavender-ameraucana-breeders-unite.683425/

These guys focus on the lavender color, but they will be able to help you evaluate the type and form of your birds.

As was already said, 12 weeks is pretty young to be trying to assess them, and you have to pick one that also complements your hens.

I also wanted to let you know, since you're going to be showing and filling out forms, it's actually spelled cockerel, with a second e, not an a

 

[GeneGoddess]

I also wanted to let you know, since you're going to be showing and filling out forms, it's actually spelled cockerel, with a second e, not an a

Spelling is not my strong suit. Oops. Thanks for the input. I know they are young and I know those that breed for show cull pretty hard and often cull early. I’m sure there are tons of enthusiastic newbies who demand immediate knowledge from those who are experienced (and worked for years to become so). I’m grateful for any tips.