Rudd Ranger or Bielefelder??? What breed is our rooster?

[FindleyFeatherFarm]

So, about two years ago we decided to pick up some Freedom Rangers at Rural King. Well, when we arrived they only had chickens called Rudd Rangers. We decide to get 20. Two out of the 20 had chipmunk markings. One was a female who looked similar to a Bielefelder hen. The other one was a male who is the rooster in the photo. **His tail feathers will grow super long then someone in the coop will pull them out at night and frost bite got his comb**
Anyhow, we are curious if there are Rudd Rangers that look similar to our boy since it is hard to find many photos of the birds. (Also he looks A LOT like the new BBQ Special roosters that Hoover Hatchery's is selling). If anyone has an idea of his breed please let us know! He is 10.2 lbs and is twice the size of our other birds like a buff Orpington hen...
P.S. This would not be the first time Hoover Hatchery's chickens would get mixed up. Exp: They sent two Mystic Onyx with their package of black Sex links to Tractor Supply.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Rudd Ranger or BBQ special. Bielefelders have a lot more black feathers.

 

[FindleyFeatherFarm]

Rudd Ranger or BBQ special. Bielefelders have a lot more black feathers.

Very true. We are curious if Rudd Rangers are mixes of some sort that are capable of getting that pattern. The BBQ specials are "new" for this year and we got him a couple yrs ago. But he looks a lot like them

 

[MissE]

These aren't the greatest pictures, but this is my Rudd Ranger rooster. He used to have beautiful iridescent black and green tail feathers. Long story, but they are gone now.

I don't believe your rooster is a Rudd Ranger.

 

[FindleyFeatherFarm]

These aren't the greatest pictures, but this is my Rudd Ranger rooster. He used to have beautiful iridescent black and green tail feathers. Long story, but they are gone now.

I don't believe your rooster is a Rudd Ranger.
View attachment 2595863View attachment 2595865

This is how all of our other Rudd Rangers look. Something tells us that maybe Hoover Hatchery's gave us a mix breed or a Bielefelder that's not up to standards at all.

 

[The Moonshiner]

It's not Bielefelder. Not even a very very poor quality one.

 

[FindleyFeatherFarm]

It's not Bielefelder. Not even a very very poor quality one.

What would use suggest it is, then? It came from Rural King who has told us they only sell from Hoover Hatchery's and one of our family members worked their and they seconded it.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I'm not trying to suggest what it is but I'm telling you what it isn't.
I have no doubt about what you say about RK or that their birds come from Hoover's.

 

[FindleyFeatherFarm]

I'm not trying to suggest what it is but I'm telling you what it isn't.
I have no doubt about what you say about RK or that their birds come from Hoover's.

Alright, well thanks. We are trying to find out what he might be that way we could get more. Just figured we would ask and see if you knew or had any ideas. We only like to add that it came from Hoover's that way people know what types of birds they would be making suggestions from- not trying to defend him as being one or the other. We didn't mean to step on anyone's toes if we did.

 

[MissE]

I went to Hoover's site and read the description for the BBQ pack. It says any of the male dual purpose breeds available, but when I reviewed those, I couldn't find one that looked like your guy. Maybe they just don't have any of his breed available now, so they aren't pictured. I didn't get their catalog this year. Sometimes that's easier than the website.

That said, the picture they show for the BBQ pack sure looks like your guy. Just wish I could find him in their line up.
https://hoovershatchery.com/bbqspecial.html

You could try calling or emailing them. Let them know you like him and want more, but don't know what he is.

Good luck. He's a hansom dude.