Sexual development of Roos with multiple roos in flock

[AllenK RGV]

Ok so today I was giving my 6 Sumatra roos who are 14-15 weeks old the once over trying to evaluate them for culling and noticed something odd. I seem to have 3 roos who I will call "Alpharoos" who have combs, well defined hackles, saddle feathering, long developing tails and physical size over my "Betaroos" who all look all look very effiminate with no combs, or roo feathering and femalish tail feathering. Is it possible for the betas to have suppressed androgenous hormone levels naturally? Is this a normal flock dynamic when you have so many roos fledged together in a flock? Also when should I expect to be able to identify spur bumps on males so I know who is a definate cull? @aart @KikisGirls have either of you experienced something similar?

 

[chickens really]

No, all Cockerels mature and different rates..Some are confident as Chicks and some prefer to stay back....Some feather out quicker...Nothing to do with what your thinking...

 

[Hawgfan]

I always assumed mine made Alpha status because they developed faster than their peers (natural selection), not the other way around. I'm inclined to stay with that notion, but I'm interested to hear other's thoughts.

 

[Chickassan]

Just know that just because they're betas now doesn't guarantee its always going to be that way. Sometimes the slow ones are the best and the ones quick to mature are duds.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I always assumed mine made Alpha status because they developed faster than their peers (natural selection), not the other way around. I'm inclined to stay with that notion, but I'm interested to hear other's thoughts.

I had already removed the 2 fastest growing and feathered out males by giving them to a neighbor, at that time all males were basically where my betas are now. That is what has me putting this theory forward.

 

[Fairview01]

Alpha is more on attitude versus size. I have 5 marans roosters in my flock. The alpha is no larger or smaller than the others but has more attitude. When he hears or sees a mating going on he will try to knock the other rooster off the hen. The other 4 rarely ever crow. If they do the two of them go into the rooster nija airborne stuff.
He's alpha, he claims mating rights and announces this is his flock. The other 4 just sneak around and get it on the down low without much crowing.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Just know that just because they're betas now doesn't guarantee its always going to be that way. Sometimes the slow ones are the best and the ones quick to mature are duds.

Thanks Chickassan, it is the absolute lack of comb development that really has me going there in thoughts. I mean these are Sumatra not a breed known for their combs and waddles, but the males have a desired 3 lobed comb called a peacomb. Of the three showing them I am not at all happy with what I am seeing. The 3 of them look like culls on that one factor alone.

 

[aart]

Is it possible for the betas to have suppressed androgenous hormone levels naturally?

Yes, I believe it is possible.

Also when should I expect to be able to identify spur bumps on males so I know who is a definate cull?

Do you mean using spur bumps to ID males vs females in order to cull males? Suppressed hormones could also suppress physical male features such as spur growth. I have a 6 month old cockerel, spurs just starting to grow and he's been on his own(only male) for 6-8 weeks.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yes, I believe it is possible.

Do you mean using spur bumps to ID males vs females in order to cull males? Suppressed hormones could also suppress physical male features such as spur growth. I have a 6 month old cockerel, spurs just starting to grow and he's been on his own(only male) for 6-8 weeks.

Not to separate the males from females, but to identify how many spurs I can expect from my Sumatras, 1 spur is a cullable offence, 2 or more and he has a chance to receive a rose. I was just trying to eyeball for spurs and not really seeing anything useful to go on. I'll have a serious look at one of the big guys today.

 

[Chickassan]

I get that, but take into account you're still looking at babies basically before you go judging.

Thanks Chickassan, it is the absolute lack of comb development that really has me going there in thoughts. I mean these are Sumatra not a breed known for their combs and waddles, but the males have a desired 3 lobed comb called a peacomb. Of the three showing them I am not at all happy with what I am seeing. The 3 of them look like culls on that one factor alone.