***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[artsyrobin]

Question: I'm trying to decide which rooster I should keep. I want a mix of colors and varieties. I'm for sure keeping one of my EE boys, the nicest and prettiest. But I'm stuck on which other I should keep. I have 2 barred rocks and I have a barred frizzled Cochin I'm choosing between. I hear barred roosters will pass on the barring to all the offspring? If so, will they be black and white like the dad too? Or will the colors vary? Also, if I keep the Cochin will all the babies be frizzled? And have feathered feet?? Sorry if these questions are silly I'm still learning.

i would always keep the cochin because of temperment

Quote: sounds like you have a good system- no i don't wait a week to set them, i set them in the bator that way-

 

[HeyBigRhondaq]

i would always keep the cochin because of temperment

sounds like you have a good system- no i don't wait a week to set them, i set them in the bator that way-

Lol. I thought it was hard to believe ANY chicken lover could wait an extra week!

 

[ashtree]

Question: I'm trying to decide which rooster I should keep. I want a mix of colors and varieties. I'm for sure keeping one of my EE boys, the nicest and prettiest. But I'm stuck on which other I should keep. I have 2 barred rocks and I have a barred frizzled Cochin I'm choosing between. I hear barred roosters will pass on the barring to all the offspring? If so, will they be black and white like the dad too? Or will the colors vary? Also, if I keep the Cochin will all the babies be frizzled? And have feathered feet?? Sorry if these questions are silly I'm still learning.

I think I would not have a frizzle rooster if I were planning to keep babies. Reason being you can't keep a frizzle hen in with him (2 frizzles can make a frazzle) That being said he will throw smooths, so you could always just sell all the frizzle babies he makes. Plus he will probably give you more variety as far as colors vs the barred rooster (based on what I'm reading, I've never kept a barred roo). For me, I love frizzles (ALOT) so I would want frizzle girls, but if I had a boy I really loved I would keep him and sell all the frizzle babies (actually I'd probably just start another coop/run )

 

[MrsDickey]

I had a beautiful black frizzle- my little fluff ball- but she was killed. I may keep him and see what I get. Then after a year trade him out and get some frizzled hens like you suggested. Or I may end up keeping 2 EEs instead of any barred roo. Ugh! I don't know. Too many good choices!

 

[MrsDickey]

I do know that while I was making my "want list" for when I order next years babies my husband looked at me and said "We're not going to end up with 100 chickens are we??" He obviously doesn't know about chicken math yet.. but he will soon enough! I told him we wouldn't have 100 if we cut his Cornish rocks meat birds off the list... he decided to not say anything else!!

 

[ashtree]

I've been trying to look this up but I can't figure out a shorter search title than "if roosters can see each other but not get to each other will there be aggression issues?"
What I'm thinking of doing is building one 400sq ft covered run and separating it down the middle-top to bottom (might use the chicken wire for the seperation) In one coop/run there will be silkies, the other run/coop randoms-the rooster will probably be a SFH. They will see each other unless I put some kind of curtain or boards there. What does everyone think? A non issue? Or it's gonna be crazy?

 

[MrsDickey]

Got better pictures of my EEs in question. 2 have thin legs but look at those tail and saddle feathers. The other has no tail or saddle feathers really but has thick legs. None have combs and waddles. The EEs and the GLW are hard to tell! About to post pics of the GLW.

 

[MrsDickey]

Here are my gold laced wyandottes. All have thick legs. Not much for tail or saddle feathers.#1 & #2 have rose combs? (Not sure still learning combs) And #3 has a single comb? I know you can't see it in the pic.. stubborn chicken! Also, #1 and #2 have teeny tiny waddles and #3 has a bigger set of waddles. Thanks in advance for any suggestions on sex.

 

[Ksane]

I've been trying to look this up but I can't figure out a shorter search title than "if roosters can see each other but not get to each other will there be aggression issues?"
What I'm thinking of doing is building one 400sq ft covered run and separating it down the middle-top to bottom (might use the chicken wire for the seperation) In one coop/run there will be silkies, the other run/coop randoms-the rooster will probably be a SFH. They will see each other unless I put some kind of curtain or boards there. What does everyone think? A non issue? Or it's gonna be crazy?

Yes, they do fight through the fence. They seem * more likely to fight through a fence than in the open together. But it's easy to line the fence with tin panels or shade cloth or any number of things. I've gotten several rolls of 6'x50' shade cloth on Amazon for $50. It goes a long way. They also have 4' and 5' tall rolls, I attach it with zip ties to the fence.
That said-Silkie roosters are way less likely to fence fight than other breeds. I've had better luck with multiple Silkies living together than most other breeds. So there's a good chance it would be a non-issue and even if it became a problem later you could line the fence 24" up with something to block their view. It doesn't have to be any taller than 2'.
@MrsDickey Are these the ones you're deciding on keeping? Or asking about gender?
Rabbit math is an interesting idea....who'd of thought?? I'm in love with one of the little ones my husband brought home, she's super calm and cuddly like my Holland Lop.
I'm deciding on where to take them for spaying and neutering. Neutering is no more than a cat neuter but spaying is anywhere from $100-$200 each. I've banded lots of livestock but I won't be one of the people banding my own bunny boys. If one of you all try it be sure to let us know how it goes.

 

[Ksane]

@MrsDickey I can't see the comb well enough on the middle EE but the other EE's and the Wyandottes all look like boys to me.