If you were me, which rooster would you keep?

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I'd definitely choose the blue AM. If you decide you don't want him, send him my way.

That would be something wouldn't it, rooster shiping from Colorado to Maine. The lady who gave him to me said she was told he was "show quality" but then again she was also told that he was a pullet, so who knows.

I think I'm going to do the same thing next year, volunteer to take people's unwanted roosters. I'm also guessing that in a year or two there will be a need for someone to take spent hens as people with their little urban flocks discover that they can either run an assisted living community for retired hens or get rid of the old ones and start over. Since I have several good recipies for both roosters and for spent hens, I can do the community a service while feeding my family.

 

[stellagirl]

Both are very handsome boys but I like bachelor #2 best.

 

[Mrs. K]

Hold the hatchet!!!

I am voting for the EE. My very BEST rooster I have ever had was an EE, named Captain. I know that just cause I had a good one, does not mean you will, but oh, he was a darling, and his eggs hatched! This year I have a Beilefelder Rooster, and he is eye candy, but while his eggs are fertilized, they don't seem to hatch as well. He is very laid back.

As for missing feathers, we are headed into the molt and the feathers are old, so hens generally look rather scruffy right now. And with the winter's shorter days, a bit of ardor will wear off, and by next year he will be more mounting with more finesse. I think your ladies are choosing him!

Yes, the blue is pretty, but EE crossed birds are often quite unique in their feathering.

Mrs K

 

[EggSighted4Life]

OK, after seeing pics, I do think the EE is a handsome fellow.

And yes, I believe you should pick the one you like best, visually and personality. I think they are too young to truly know how they will treat the ladies when they mature.

Blue Ams are more often breeder stock than hatchery, and I think breeders USUALLY have better genetics. But they are becoming way more available. And the EE will still give you the puffy cheeks. My EE cheeks are puffier than my Ams.

Show quality would mean having birds that have won prizes. But not all chick will be actual show quality. And depending on age it is very difficult to sex. Even the pros get it wrong... often.

It's hard to pick breeders/keepers. I have 5 Swedish Flower cockerels vying for the job.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I stalled on the decision until this morning when I went out to open chicken coops and feed chickens. Something had somehow forced their way into the EE rooster's coop and killed him during the night so I guess we're going with the Blue Ameracauna.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh that's terrible, so sorry.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I stalled on the decision until this morning when I went out to open chicken coops and feed chickens. Something had somehow forced their way into the EE rooster's coop and killed him during the night so I guess we're going with the Blue Ameracauna.

I am sorry to hear that!

Was kinda rooting for him after seeing pics. Was he your only loss? Figure out the predator yet? I'm sure you are already working on making sure everybody is secure again.

I hope your survivor turns out to be a good boy for your flock.

Maybe a pic of him hanging out with his harem.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry, and I hope everyone else is safe. Mary

 

[Little Fuzzy]

I wish I could have a Roo in the city!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I am sorry to hear that!

Was kinda rooting for him after seeing pics. Was he your only loss? Figure out the predator yet? I'm sure you are already working on making sure everybody is secure again.

I hope your survivor turns out to be a good boy for your flock.

Maybe a pic of him hanging out with his harem.

He was a handsome boy and probably would have been a fine rooster. He was my only loss as he was housed separately from the hens while I gave the Blue Roo a trial run. I don't know what did it but I suspect a raccoon. I found the roo missing his head and neck plus some damage to on side of his chest. I suspect something squeezed through a gap where the door doesn't tie quite tightly enough, although I've used that coop as a grow-out coop for turkeys for three years without any night time losses. It is also possible that the predator came in between dusk and when I locked everyone up for the night. I don't remember if I actually looked into the rooster's coop before I closed it up. He may have already been dead then. The dogs were VERY interested in the area this morning, but couldn't tell me anything about who-dunit.