Well here is my take thePoint
My opinion is based on this being from my experience breeding not showing... If you are planning on showing then you may want to arrange the selection based on fault demerits looking at what is before you.. This being said number one would be an automatic DQ based on lack of feather, however for breeding purposes this is easily solved.
Number one:
Merits would be general overall shape, ear coverts appear to be fairly good, leg coloring is optimal (present standard using french) Tail set is optimal... Length of back good, Eye color good, amount of greenish tinge on feathers good, matte undercoated feathers good, color of horn good. He appears to be a late bloomer in the color department which my personal experience is that is good. Others may have a different experience. I would play the wait and see game. He has the best overall color balance to date IMHO, however the lack of leg feathering is an automatic DQ. (but I think I said that already)
Number two Number two also has a good color balance and overall structure... I would like to see another picture or two of this bird as I like his general overall appearance currently over the other two, barring that he is standing a bit off... Length of back is good, tail set... Could be better unless it is the way he stands. I do like the general appearance of this bird and how the color is balanced on him from the eyes to the shanks... He also has the leg feathering... though sparse may improve with age... Again, more time... This bird would bear watching for either the ring or breeding pen.
Number three Number 3 does have merit in the fact that the leg feathering is more correct, however for me, the color balance include the current french standard prizing the lighter shank. Since the standard has not been set for showing again this point is up for debate. I am not keen on either his back though his tail is the nicest of the three, I am not keen on his comb either. A better picture may make me like this bird better, as I cannot get a true look at the ear coverts eye color etc. My choice currently would be either one or two depending on maturity and use, of course pending the outcom of the APA findings... I still may choose to exclude number 3 based on the overall impression of the bird and shank color.
This is just my opinion and what I like to see. Take it as you find it... You know what you like to see and interpret them as it suits your needs. Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts... I may add more later as I think upon it.
In general I would wait and see what they look like at 5 month or even 6 months... I have a feeling that number 1 may surprise us all. I wait to see what it is like when they are all there. Yes the feathering needs some addressing, however that may well be met by the hens as well though not 100 percent of the time. If the hens are absolutely correct then the most correct color balance is apex. Especially if try to make a nicer rooster from the recipe. I apologize if any part of this is redundant.
