Partridge Chantecler Culling.

[CWhite67]

Alrighty, I’ve got 8 grow outs from this year. I am going to cull down to a trio, I know it’s still a bit early but I need to make room. I have my opinions on these birds, but I’m looking for more input. They didn’t want to pose today but if I need more I’ll go out and get more pictures.
Here’s what I’m working with:
First three is my favourite cockerel.
Next two is my second choice from the cockerels.
Pullet #1 I think is a cull with the nodule on her comb
Pullet #2 is my best looking pullet I think
Pullet #3
Last picture is pullet #4

 

[ColtHandorf]

@Folly's place @BantyChooks both raise Chantecler. Perhaps they can help.

Personally, I wouldn't cull this early unless I saw obvious defects. I'd be tempted to hang onto all of the pullets until they are 6-9 months old. And probably two of the cockerels.

 

[BantyChooks]

Interesting. Thanks for the tip! Out of this batch, none of the cockerels have a rosecomb. Since my pick of cockerels was way off and you liked the second one better, would you mind looking at the third? I will assume I should just keep them. First two is the one you liked better, and then the third cockerel.

Cockerel number three could shape up to be a very nice bird. He looks like he has a more middle-of-the-road colour which I personally prefer, and he has a large frame that should fill out and become square and sturdy with age. He looks like a much better bird colour-wise than the first and better type-wise than the second.
I had a bird once that looked very much like your second cockerel at that age. He had very decent colour bar some black hackles and scuffing on his wings, but his type never really filled out and he always remained small and weak. This is him below.

Here's the cockbird that I kept instead of the one above. Bit rough in the headgear, but his backline was better than it looks in this image.

 

[BantyChooks]

Alrighty, I’ve got 8 grow outs from this year. I am going to cull down to a trio, I know it’s still a bit early but I need to make room. I have my opinions on these birds, but I’m looking for more input. They didn’t want to pose today but if I need more I’ll go out and get more pictures.
Here’s what I’m working with:
First three is my favourite cockerel.
Next two is my second choice from the cockerels.
Pullet #1 I think is a cull with the nodule on her comb
Pullet #2 is my best looking pullet I think
Pullet #3
Last picture is pullet #4

Pullet #2 and #3 are the best IMO. It's really too early to cull for shape and vitality so we're reduced pretty much to culling by colour which is a bad strategy. Your other two pullets are a bit light in colour.

Your first cockerel is much too red and has a lot of leakage in his chest. The second looks significantly better and might turn out with decent type too based on his blockiness.

 

[BantyChooks]

Also, if you want to get rid of pullet #2, send her to me.

 

[CWhite67]

In that case here, he was the only bird of either sex who grew that rose comb! Figures, right?
I agree that it's best to only use birds with cushion combs as breeders.
And selection for good color in partridge includes having separate breeding lines for males and females, another complication in housing and flock size. Pretty is good enough for me, never mind having show winners! Lazy, right?
Mary

What are the odds of that? LOL. These partridge are more complicated than whites, I don't know how long I'll dabble with partridge but I'm going to try them out. I always have the goal to get close to SOP, but without sacrificing any of the breeds' traits and purposes.

 

[Folly's place]

I care about good size, structure, and reasonable egg laying abilities. Want dual purpose, as they were meant to be, all around nice birds.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I only do the white birds, so no issues with having to deal with color choices. (Thank goodness!)
My concerns this early are about obvious defects and size/ weights. And any cockerels with poor attitudes. I agree with @BantyChooks on all counts here.
Mary

 

[CWhite67]

I believe it's a carryover from rose comb genetics, don't quote me on that though. The bird with a nodule was not one of the ones on my keep list, correct?

I'm pretty sure you're right on that, that's what it reminded me of when I started seeing them come through on these birds. And no it wasn't, you reassured my thoughts on the two best pullets. I'm concerned that 3/5 pullets have them, and this will be a real problem.

 

[Folly's place]

A few years ago my best cockerel had a rose comb. After a lot of swearing, I finally sold him to people who had barnyard birds and a nasty RIR rooster, and were delighted to get a nice guy as replacement. Genetics, love it sometimes!!!
Mary