If keeping a dude, which one?

[kcult]

I put a mixed bag of eggs in the incubator and seven weeks ago today, they all hatched.

My wife and I wanted to scale back to four hens this go round from the six we had last year. We may very well get our wish as it's looking like we have three boys in the bunch of seven.

The breeds of the males are black sex link, light brahma, and (as of today) EE.

If I were to keep one of them, which breed would come the most recommended?

The remaining four birds are two more EE, a lavender orpington, and unfortunately, a bantam cochin.

I'm not necessarily looking to breed and hatch more eggs, especially with such a mixed inventory of birds, but figured, what would it hurt keeping a roo?

Any advice or warnings I should heed?

Thanks!

 

[paddock36]

I would keep the sex link roo. My reason would be if you did decide to hatch chicks you might be able to add the egg production qualities into the flock that maybe the sex link could bring, but I'm no expert, just a thought.

 

[Iluveggers]

Do you want most generally friendly? Then Brahma

Chance of the most eggs from offspring? BSL

Chance of breeding Easter Eggers? EE

I personally would go by personality, as a friendly roo is the only roo I would ever keep. Brahmas have great reputations. There are always exceptions of course. If you can raise all 3, to adults, youll know for sure which personality ends up the best, and then sell or give away the two others.

 

[kcult]

Do you want most generally friendly? Then Brahma

Chance of the most eggs from offspring? BSL

Chance of breeding Easter Eggers? EE

I personally would go by personality, as a friendly roo is the only roo I would ever keep. Brahmas have great reputations. There are always exceptions of course. If you can raise all 3, to adults, youll know for sure which personality ends up the best, and then sell or give away the two others.

Currently, the EE is the most aggressive. I'm not sure it's actually towards me as much as it wants my wedding ring.

But he's persistent.

 

[Iluveggers]

Currently, the EE is the most aggressive. I'm not sure it's actually towards me as much as it wants my wedding ring.

But he's persistent.

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The rule on the farm was always once a cockerel/rooster went after someone, he went in the pot. Too many kids around to let it slide. Ended up w two wonderful, gentle guys..they both were Easter Eggers. The Orpington, who was my favorite for the longest, ended up being the first to go. He went after someone more than once…Orpingtons also have the reputation of being gentle, but he was not a good boy. Thats why I said no breed is a guarantee, only generalizations.

 

[kcult]

Maybe a stupid question, but can bantams and regular chickens (Hmm. Do regular chickens have a cool name like bantams do?) breed successfully? I'm talking a regular rooster and a bantam hen, to be specific.

I've only ever had bantams or regular. Never both.

 

[WingItRanch]

Maybe a stupid question, but can bantams and regular chickens (Hmm. Do regular chickens have a cool name like bantams do?) breed successfully? I'm talking a regular rooster and a bantam hen, to be specific.

I've only ever had bantams or regular. Never both.

Regular chickens are sometimes referred to as LF or Large Fowl. Not as cool of a name as bantams.

I would personally be a little concerned about a Brahma rooster attempting to breed a bantam cochin but I don't have experience with that size difference. I'm sure others can pop in with an opinion.

My previous cockerel was quite a bit larger than my smaller pullets (Ancona, Easter Eggers) and as long as they squatted for him, their legs were able to handle his weight. Maybe that's the same for bantams?

 

[kcult]

Chance of the most eggs from offspring? BSL

This was alluded to twice, if the poster before you meant the same thing, but what does this mean?

Is it saying that if I hatch eggs from birds that were bred by the BSL that any resulting hens would lay more eggs than if they were from one of the other roos?