Question about wry tail in Japs/breeding

[TattooedChicks]

I currently have three Japanese cockerels, two at three months old and one at a month and a half. So long as everyone stays brotherly I plan on keeping all three until they decide otherwise.

But I am also looking to next year for some very small scale backyard breeding specifically for hatching eggs and extra chicks to give to friends or sell locally. They will certainly not be show quality but I don't want to breed weak genetics into someone's productive pet, if you will.

-Goal for breeding: 2-4 small batches of nice looking, pleasant acting backyard bantams that also occasionally make breakfast


The nicest looking and acting cockerel, in my opinion, has a tail that is starting to lean when he's loafing about, though at attention it's very straight and starting to angle over his head. Is this wry tail or have his feathers simply grown too long for the size of his body to support at this age?


The second cockerel with the shorter, more stacked tail. Great personality, but more independent most days.


The youngest cockerel already showing massive tail plumage. Was very ill as a day old, not very brave or cuddly yet.

 

[Alaskan]

only thing I know for sure, is NOT the first one.

that most definitely sounds like wry tail.

the other 2 are still too young to know much...

so, I would eat the first one, and wait and see with the next 2

 

[TattooedChicks]

only thing I know for sure, is NOT the first one.

that most definitely sounds like wry tail.

the other 2 are still too young to know much...

so, I would eat the first one, and wait and see with the next 2

Thank you, though I doubt he'd be big enough even full grown to make more than a chicken sandwich.

 

[Alaskan]

yeah... the tiny ones we often just cook into soup...

 

[BantyChooks]

Based off your situation, I'd say the 2nd bird sounds like a good choice. 3rd might have a weaker system that allowed it to get sick, unless there were other factors not mentioned?

 

[TattooedChicks]

Based off your situation, I'd say the 2nd bird sounds like a good choice. 3rd might have a weaker system that allowed it to get sick, unless there were other factors not mentioned?

Navel infection that turned mushy chick, took lots of special care as a day old until about 1 week old. Been perfect since.