Sexual development of Roos with multiple roos in flock

[aart]

I've tried the eyeball and the touchy feelly methods. I'm just not seeing it on either the inside where that rearward facing toe is or the backside. I just see what look like normal scales. Oh well i'm sure in time all will be made clear.

Hmm I know I've noticed them on pretty young birds, chicks even, just can't remember at what age. They would be more towards the inside of the leg an inch or so above the rear toe.

 

[AllenK RGV]

 

[AllenK RGV]

So searching the web I came across this as well, so in 1 month I imagine I will start to really know the answer to the spur questions.

Interesting thing about this image that sumatra has pink skin so should be culled. Sumatras have yellow feet and skin.

 

[aart]

So searching the web I came across this as well, so in 1 month I imagine I will start to really know the answer to the spur questions. View attachment 1170281 Interesting thing about this image that sumatra has pink skin so should be culled. Sumatras have yellow feet and skin.

At least it shows you where to look and appearance at ages.

 

[Hawgfan]

I'm curious as to why you removed your earliest maturing cockerels, if you're interested in improving your flock. To me, that can be a desirable trait. Maybe they had already shown something undesirable, or maybe I don't understand your goal.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'm curious as to why you removed your earliest maturing cockerels, if you're interested in improving your flock. To me, that can be a desirable trait. Maybe they had already shown something undesirable, or maybe I don't understand your goal.

One was showing aggression to the females and keeping them off their feed, and wasn't playing nice with others so once I got my neighbor interested in taking two he was first out the door. I knew a mature American Gamefowl Roo would fix him, also that sucker was biting me often enough. Sen't the other one as it had a red not gypsy face. Plus I wanted to let him know he got my two biggest since he has a mature flock. True they had the most mature tail feathering and were the most efficient growers but Sumatra are a slow to mature breed. I felt those two were most likely not good bloodlines due to their insane growth rates and I'm raising game fowl not meat birds.

 

[Hawgfan]

Interesting. I have no experience with them, and was curious. I hope I didn't appear to question your logic. You obviously know what is best for you and your birds.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Interesting. I have no experience with them, and was curious. I hope I didn't appear to question your logic. You obviously know what is best for you and your birds.

Did not feel questioned at all. Some folks raise em for meat, others eggs, I tell myself I am only after pest control and just a small bit of dabbling in breeding. My wife and I are pretty much vegetarians but I will be happy making my own breakfast taco's with my own guilt free eggs. That saves about 5-7/dollars a day once I have my currently 2 pullets laying. Here are 2 pictures I took this morning trying to get some decent photos that show their plumage a bit. I really love the photo I would call "Stinkeye" from the roo.

 

[Hawgfan]

Colors are awesome on those birds. I'm sure they'll bring years of enjoyment in raising them, and possibly even improving upon your line.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Colors are awesome on those birds. I'm sure they'll bring years of enjoyment in raising them, and possibly even improving upon your line.

I was looking a the Livestock Conservancy's site and found a retired PHD breeder only 1 hour away. I am hoping to contact her and have a look over her stock in the near future and see if she has pullets to spare. To me that is a long shot but I'm not interested in building an avairy to protect my precious 100 dollar show birds from all predation. I know to expect some losses so I am holding on to my 6roo:2pullet flock until problems occur since odds are anything I lose to hawks overwintering here will be a roo for now. We currently have just had 9 species of hawks/falcons move in for the winter months, so until spring arrives I won't know how many I have. Don't get me wrong here they sleep in a Fortress but insist they free range by day!