Possible Roosters, Pros and Cons of These Breeds?

[Ridgerunner]

Araucana in black and white = blue/turqoise eggs

The American Auracana is a different bird from the British Auracana and I'd assume German as well. The American Auracana has a fatal gene (tuft gene) that when it pairs up the embryo dies before it hatches. I would not want that gene in my flock. I'm not sure if the British or German versions have that lethal tuft gene. Probably not. In the US I'd substitute Ameraucana in your mix.

 

[keesmom]

I think a Chantecler might come in a color you'd like (white). Off the top of my head I can't think of any other breed that suits you but I'd look for a Mediterranean breed and see if Cackle or Ideal have it.

Cackle has white Chanteclers, and I have a few. I have been very happy with them. They are dual purpose unlike many hatchery breeds. The birds have averaged 9-11 lbs and have been good layers of large brown eggs. Their small comb is great for cold climates and they have an easy going temperament.

I have some of their cuckoo Marans hens as well. Also large birds, one hen is almost the size of my Chantecler rooster. The egg color has been surprisingly dark for hatchery stock. Obviously not as dark as a breeder bird, but much better than I expected.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Thinking out loud here in a place where I'll have a good record of the evolution of my ideas and hoping for input.

As the placement of our house gets closer and we start budgeting for the increase of the flock and pondering what to do if Piccata, the Silver-Laced Wyandotte or Omelet, the Light Brahma, turn out to be cockerels instead of pullets (still uncertain at 12 and 10 weeks respectively), I've more or less decided that, as much as I love Brahmas for their beauty, I don't really want one as half the genetics in my flock. Nor do I think that an SLW is the best option for me here in the steamy southeast.

In time there will probably be two or three roosters as the flock grows and gets large enough to divide, but the current plan is to start with one.

My overall goals for the flock are:

Good temperament
Vigorous good health
Relatively rapid growth/maturity (hoping to sell my extras as started pullets/butcher spare cockerels and don't want to have to wait half a year)
Good egg laying
A variety of egg colors (hoping to sell eggs at farmers' markets)
Large and extra-large eggs (because small eggs don't sell well)
Colors and patterns I find attractive (black, white, and black and white -- absolutely no red)

Other factors:

I like feathered feet
Not too flighty -- they won't free range but will be in an open pen
I will probably be ordering from Ideal and/or Cackle

My thought is to follow advice often given here by raising a number of straight-run chicks and select the cockerel(s) I like best out of the bunch. I'm considering the following breeds:

Delaware -- Large, attractively patterned birds that grow rapidly, are well-adapted to heat, and lay good-sized, medium-brown eggs

Australorp -- Large birds that grow rapidly, are well-adapted to heat, and lay good-sized, medium-brown eggs. Possibly less visible to hawks than the light-colored birds.

French Black or Cuckoo Marans -- Large birds, attractively-patterned (cuckoo), with dark egg genetics. Feathered feet.

Black/White/Blue/Splash Ameraucana (Cackle) -- Medium birds, blue egg genetics.

Since all chickens are awesome in the hatchery catalogs I'd appreciate feedback from people with experience with these breeds. Especially if you live in a hot, humid climate.

Have you considered Creme Legbars? They are beautiful birds that look like large pheasants or quail and lay well and large blue green eggs. They are easy going birds and not flighty. I love mine. Very heat tolerant. I live in MS.

 

[3KillerBs]

Their small comb is great for cold climates

This is why I didn't consider Chanticleers. Living here in the steamy southeast I am concerned about any of the breeds developed for cold climates doing well in my blistering summers.

I was dubious about having Wyandottes at all for the same reason until I met someone who assured me that her Wyandottes in the next county to the north did OK in our blistering summers without special care measures. They don't seem to have any issue with heat as chicks, but, as I explained above, I don't want the slow growth in my flock rooster(s).

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you considered Creme Legbars? They are beautiful birds that look like large pheasants or quail and lay well and large blue green eggs. They are easy going birds and not flighty. I love mine. Very heat tolerant. I live in MS.

I've heard many good things about them, but don't care for the colors. Having discovered that Welp has White Legbars I hope to try a few of those.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I've heard many good things about them, but don't care for the colors. Having discovered that Welp has White Legbars I hope to try a few of those.

Hey there are so many breeds to chose from you will find the right one. It has just been such a terribly hot year for us that I thought I would share that with you so that you would know how well this breed has done for me in this heat so you would just have the knowledge base from experience to choose from. That’s all. Take care and good luck with your selection!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Bit late to this, naked necks actually come in lots of colors


You can always just sell or eat any red ones that get sent to you in an order


Perhaps Easter eggers? They come in tons of colors and again you can always just get rid of any you don't like looking at

 

[Sadness Child]

This is why I didn't consider Chanticleers. Living here in the steamy southeast I am concerned about any of the breeds developed for cold climates doing well in my blistering summers.

I was dubious about having Wyandottes at all for the same reason until I met someone who assured me that her Wyandottes in the next county to the north did OK in our blistering summers without special care measures. They don't seem to have any issue with heat as chicks, but, as I explained above, I don't want the slow growth in my flock rooster(s).

You can also get Wyandottes that have single combs, which will help them in the heat, I have one in NM and she does just as well as any other bird.

 

[Sadness Child]

I don't know if you would like the coloration of this breed, but I HAVE to add the Speckled Sussex.

 

[3KillerBs]

It has just been such a terribly hot year for us that I thought I would share that with you so that you would know how well this breed has done for me in this heat

Thank you.

I don't know if you would like the coloration of this breed, but I HAVE to add the Speckled Sussex.

I've considered the Light Sussex.

Every time I do one of those "What Chicken is Right for You" things I come up Australorp and Delaware. But I want a little more variety in both feather patterns and egg colors.