Rooster breed?

[rmr2012]

I just acquired this fellow and a couple of his buddies that were being beat up on by others in a large flock. I am curious as to what their breeds might be. I have a home for one and would like to keep one to breed with my hens (Red Stars, Buff Orpingtons, RIR and Barred Rocks) Any guesses on what the breeds might be?

 

[rmr2012]

I'd like to breed for decent dual purpose bird...

 

[donrae]

From the looks, they're all mixed breed with barred or cuckoo ancestry. I was thinking maybe Dominique for the first guy, but I'm not sure that's really a rose comb. He doesn't look well, either....is it just the pic or is he ill?

The last bird also looks to possibly have scaly mites on his legs, have you checked those?

As to who to keep, I'd go with who seems healthiest, who is nicest to the ladies, and above all who has the best temperament toward you. There's nothing breed-wise to really distinguish one from another. They'll all throw 50% chicks that have some degree of barring, and I don't see one that looks particularly heavier than the others, except maybe that last guy. Looking again, I don't see barring on him, more a Colombian pattern, so you could get black sex links from putting him over your barred rock girls, if you're so inclined.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

The last boy looks to be an EE. Good layers, decent meat birds (course depends the mix)
First boy looks the meatiest
If you can seperate them into 3 pens, each with about 4-5 hens, common ancestry and same breed, then incubate from each pen, you'll get a good idea of what they'll throw in terms of meat or eggs. Keep the boy who won't overbreed your hens, not aggressive to you, but also throws good layers and meaty boys. Personally, if you have enough hens it'd be better for you to keep all 3. That way you can keep the boy who throws meaty boys, the boy who'll throw good layers, and then the one who throws fast growers... If they don't have any good genes, or 2 of them throw bad layers but good meaty ones, then keep the more docile one or prettier one.
A good, diverse flock is the best possible thing you can get. You just need to be able to find who throws what, and if their worthy keeping

 

[rmr2012]

Thank you all! The first got pretty beat up, that is why he doesn't look well.

Poor guy is very gentle and mellow, I think he got frostbite last year... he definitely doesn't have a rose comb.I was kind of thinking Marans as well. He is already looking better though, and has enjoyed the extra attention.

The fellow on the bottom I'm pretty sure is an Easter Egger - feathered face was a give away. I noticed his legs too and am slathering him with bag balm... if you know of anything that works quicker, I'd love to know about it!

Other than that, I've spent a fair amount of time with them all lately, and decided to keep the Easter Egger. I already have a Buff Brahma roo, and unfortunately, I only have room for two. I did however, find a home for the other (the first one) with a friend that raises Red Sex Links, so I may be able to get some chicks from him after all. The guy in the middle is the least friendly, and with several children running around, we don't keep unfriendly roos.