It happened to me, too many chickens

[Trish1974]

I'm going through this right now with cockerels.
My intent was to keep a carbon copy son from each of my cockbirds for backup (which should be 4), but now I'm finding myself saying "oh but that one has the most mottling".... "that one is splash".... " but that one has the best legs and body type"....
Yeah, I'm up to 7 I want to keep already and only have room for 4...

 

[Folly's place]

Selecting cockerels, not so fun sometimes.
In theory, have MANY chicks, and keep the top 5%, or 1%, or some such numbers. In practice, at least here, few chicks in comparison, and so fewer to cull to keep that 'right one'. And, nobody's perfect, so size vs. type vs. everything else, and here we are.
Me too!
I kept my second choice Chantie cockerel last year, when #1 was killed. This year, chose between a larger framed bird, and a more compact cockerel of the same weight. Right? Wrong? I HAVE NO IDEA!
Need WISDOM, and need it NOW!!!
Mary

 

[aliciaplus3]

Or in my case cant decide what direction is right for the flock.... I have 2 beautiful cocks that have the potential to take my program in a direction I had not even considered

the lighter colored boy hit size first but the darker one was heavier... both have great personality and respect me, get along with other roosters....ugh how do I decide?

and then there is this boy. He is looking a little down right now but wow!

 

[Folly's place]

Nice birds! I have no idea.
Does this bottom bird have a crooked toe, or is he just standing that way?
Two years ago, my biggest cockerel had the wrong comb, He moved to a flock of mixed breeds, and likely did great. I'm still bummed about him...
Mary

 

[Mimi13]

Or in my case cant decide what direction is right for the flock.... I have 2 beautiful cocks that have the potential to take my program in a direction I had not even consideredView attachment 1903759 the lighter colored boy hit size first but the darker one was heavier... both have great personality and respect me, get along with other roosters....ugh how do I decide?View attachment 1903757 and then there is this boy. He is looking a little down right now but wow!

Wow, what a setup is all I can say.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree!
Need more space too...
Mary

 

[aliciaplus3]

Nice birds! I have no idea.
Does this bottom bird have a crooked toe, or is he just standing that way?
Two years ago, my biggest cockerel had the wrong comb, He moved to a flock of mixed breeds, and likely did great. I'm still bummed about him...
Mary

Huh I will have to look at his toe when I go out. Right now he looks pretty sad but i like the coloring i hope to be able to hatch some more like them and work twords a blue flock of nn.... so many choices. These are just a few of the ones I have to choose from...

this is Big boy with his girls, he is only half Delaware but so far I like his temperament and size, he was 5 pounds at 12 weeks, I hope some of his offspring do as well