Old English Game Bantam ?'s

[ReseisCL16]

Hello! I am more of a hobby farmer, but really enjoy showing my feed-store hens at shows, even though they don't usually place high. About a year ago, I decided to invest in a breeding trio of Black Rosecombs. The hens were about 2 years old when I got them and, due to weak genetics, both have died. I only have my cock, Octavian, (about 1 year old) left now. These birds came from a very well-known and respected breeder, but in the time that the hens were laying eggs and Octavian was mounting them, I had 100% infertility in my eggs.
Of course, after I got my Rosecombs, I did some research and discovered that this particular breed was one of the most difficult birds to keep in condition to show, due to their large combs and white earlobes. Not only that, but this breed is commonly very infertile, due to their rosecomb.
So to avoid the mistake of getting chickens without doing research, I have a few questions for those of you out there who have a love for the Old English Game Bantam, a breed that I am considering to invest in instead of the Rosecombs.

1. How fertile are they? I have heard that single-comb breeds are generally more fertile than rosecomb breeds. I want birds whose offspring I can show and continue to improve.

2. How about dubbing? It looks so painful for the cock and I would like to show my roosters.

3. What is their temperament like in general? I have a smallish pen for them, but a large and safe coop. Do they bear confinement well? Are the cocks really aggressive towards people and/or their hens?

4. What is the best color pattern to get? Their are so many to choose from! I was considering Lemon Blues, but would that color be difficult to maintain in their offspring without culling?

Thank you for your help! If anyone has some other bantam breeds that may work for my situation, please share.

 

[LilJoe]

@gamebirdsonly @Poultrybreeder
I think y'all have OEGB?

 

[LilJoe]

Also, no matter what variety you get you will still have to cull do to color defects and/or comb, leg, shape defects.
If you aren't aware, culling doesn't necessarily mean killing/butchering. You could also sell the culls.

 

[TXchickmum]

We've only had limited experience with OEGB (so no experts, here). -have loved them, though! My little hen is 7-years-old, and is one sharp gal. She's probably the most keen of the flock (including our large fowl). Our OEGB rooster was very alert/protective, but not aggressive towards anyone in our household. -good nature! (My daughter would actually carry him around)