Rooster with a Rose “comb over”

[Greengirljmt]

Hi,
I have an Ameraucana rooster whose comb is normally flopped over his left eye. He is very handsome and the girls seem to really like him. My question is this: I have 4 other roosters and I’m wondering if Dinkus (that’s his name) should be culled because of this trait. I imagine that it obstructs his vision and that’s not a great trait to have while protecting the flock.

I have 5 roosters and 7 hens, so several roosters are going to have to be culled but I’m having a difficult time deciding whom. I might be able to keep 2. The hens are from two different hatches. About a month apart. They are 4 and 5 months old.

Thanks for any advice regarding rooster selection.

 

[azygous]

It depends on why you keep a flock. Is the primary reason to show the chickens? Or is it for eggs or the entertainment factor?

If you aren't showing your chickens, if you aren't breeding to sell perfect chickens, then cosmetic considerations would not be an important factor, but good temperament would be.

 

[Mrs. K]

You have 5 roosters, and I think that is a reason to cull this bird. Culling is hard, and there is an unfounded intense worry that you will cull the wrong bird. You can keep a rotten bird, but you can't cull the wrong bird.

If you have 5, pick three for any reason, and cull them first. Or at least get two out of the way. Then wait a week or two, cull two more.

Right now, your cockerels are in the darling stage. It is hard to imagine them not being the darlings. But there are a lot of posts on here where the darlings become the nightmare.

I would strongly recommend culling all 5 cockerels, or at least consider it a possibility. Especially if you have young children. Often times cockerels raised with just flock mates do not work out.

Mrs K

 

[Greengirljmt]

You have 5 roosters, and I think that is a reason to cull this bird. Culling is hard, and there is an unfounded intense worry that you will cull the wrong bird. You can keep a rotten bird, but you can't cull the wrong bird.

If you have 5, pick three for any reason, and cull them first. Or at least get two out of the way. Then wait a week or two, cull two more.

Right now, your cockerels are in the darling stage. It is hard to imagine them not being the darlings. But there are a lot of posts on here where the darlings become the nightmare.

I would strongly recommend culling all 5 cockerels, or at least consider it a possibility. Especially if you have young children. Often times cockerels raised with just flock mates do not work out.

Mrs K

Hi Mrs K,
I have 4 hens and 1 rooster (mr comb over) from one clutch 3 pullets and 4 cockerels from a clutch a month later. I would like to keep at least one cockerel and the first four hens are very bonded with him. I don’t have children and roosters are useful for breeding and protection.

I tried to have an all-hen flock a few years ago and my neighbors rooster moved in and wouldn’t leave. He was the only rooster who ever gave me a hard time. I rehomed that flock (rooster finally went home) and now I’m starting over.

I still have a couple weeks before I process my meat birds. I’m going to take that time and watch everyone and then make the decision. Thank you for your input.

 

[fluffycrow]

If I’m understanding your OP and further posts correctly, this gorgeous Easter Egger male is well liked by his girls, has managed to keep them safe so far, and you have no complaints in regards to his temperament.

I see no reason to cull him for his lopsided pea comb, especially since you are not breeding for esthetics. I can assure you that his comb will not come in the way of him performing his duties. Every time I have tried to guess the outcome of anything to do with the free ranging birds here, I have guessed wrong.

Last year I had picked out a young cockerel as a potential keeper for his athletic build, flighty nature, flying abilities, and camouflaged colouration. He got taken by a predator, the only bird from his batch to have that faith. Point is, what we register as a “fault” might be very minor to a chicken’s life.

I would urge you to keep this male, as he has given you no reason to think otherwise (so far)

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, they are your birds and I completely understand about stewing decisions, even making decisions and not doing actions.

The big thing to remember with cockerels is they are a crapshoot, and today’s good behavior is not an indication of tomorrow. The pullets might shortly have a different opinion, or he may really be marvelous for the long term, it is just too early to tell.

Getting a rooster is pretty easy. There are a lot of good roosters that someone is wishing someone else could have. To have a rooster does not mean you have to have one of the ones you currently have. While not 100%, often times cockerels raised with flock mate pullets, do not work out and often become aggressive.

Another option, that I would strongly consider, is waiting until your pullets are laying, and looking all around locally. What would be ideal is a year old rooster that was so nice he didn’t get culled. Pullets should be separated from multiple cockerels until they are laying. Cockerels tend to mature much faster than their sisters, and the girls are not ready.

They are your birds, and more than likely you are going to make decisions and change your mind and make ...I have been in that loop. Good luck.

Mrs K

 

[Greengirljmt]

If I’m understanding your OP and further posts correctly, this gorgeous Easter Egger male is well liked by his girls, has managed to keep them safe so far, and you have no complaints in regards to his temperament.

I see no reason to cull him for his lopsided pea comb, especially since you are not breeding for esthetics. I can assure you that his comb will not come in the way of him performing his duties. Every time I have tried to guess the outcome of anything to do with the free ranging birds here, I have guessed wrong.

Last year I had picked out a young cockerel as a potential keeper for his athletic build, flighty nature, flying abilities, and camouflaged colouration. He got taken by a predator, the only bird from his batch to have that faith. Point is, what we register as a “fault” might be very minor to a chicken’s life.

I would urge you to keep this male, as he has given you no reason to think otherwise (th

Well, they are your birds and I completely understand about stewing decisions, even making decisions and not doing actions.

The big thing to remember with cockerels is they are a crapshoot, and today’s good behavior is not an indication of tomorrow. The pullets might shortly have a different opinion, or he may really be marvelous for the long term, it is just too early to tell.

Getting a rooster is pretty easy. There are a lot of good roosters that someone is wishing someone else could have. To have a rooster does not mean you have to have one of the ones you currently have. While not 100%, often times cockerels raised with flock mate pullets, do not work out and often become aggressive.

Another option, that I would strongly consider, is waiting until your pullets are laying, and looking all around locally. What would be ideal is a year old rooster that was so nice he didn’t get culled. Pullets should be separated from multiple cockerels until they are laying. Cockerels tend to mature much faster than their sisters, and the girls are not ready.

They are your birds, and more than likely you are going to make decisions and change your mind and make ...I have been in that loop. Good luck.

Mrs K

Thank you for your advice. I'm going to hold off for a couple weeks (when I'm processing my meat birds.)

I understand that roosters are very easy to come by but last time a rooster come into the flock that i didn't raise, he brought lice with him. I know that they can be treated but I'd rather keep my flock isolated to just the birds I've raised for now.