Suppose to be a Black Orpington??

[BlueBaby]

I have the Australorps, and they are very similar to the straight Orps. I would keep your blue rooster because breeding him to your black hens will give you chicks in both of the colors as for the color genetics of the B/B/S.

 

[Gray Farms]

Yep, he is a blue.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with BB. He is absolutely gorgeous. Much more pleasing to the eye IMO than straight black.

 

[N Sully]

Glad I asked! I will use the blue then. My granddaughter will like this choice. She likes him too
Thank you all for your input and knowledge.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Unless you don't want any blue genetics at all, I would recommend that you decide which rooster to keep based on how closely each one meets the Standard for the Orpington breed. Health, vigor, frame/bone structure, size, posture, growth rate (not too fast or too slow), fleshing out rate, temperament, etc ... are all things that make an Orpington an Orpington, much more so than just color. Compare each cockerel to the "ideal" bird, both the published Standard ideal, and what you want out of your personal breeding flock, before you decide which male will be your best foundation sire.

If you're not sure what all these details mean, you can post pictures of each male and ask people with Orpington knowledge to guide you through the selection process. Post a picture directly from the side, the front, the back, and the top of each one, and be sure to select pictures that represent each male accurately. There's lots of expertise available from BYC members who are willing to help.

Or, if you have the room and like both boys, you can keep them both in separate breeding groups. That would allow you to see who produces the best offspring.

I don't breed Orpingtons, so I'm not going to attempt to evaluate his quality. However, his blue coloration is gorgeous. If you don't hate the blues, then breeding him to a black hen should give you half blues and half blacks. Breeding him to a blue hen should give you 50% blue, 25% black, and 25% splash. So lots of color in those genetics if you decide to go that route. Or if his structural quality is good but you just don't want any color except black, you can still select for only black offspring with good conformation as your primary goal. Lots of ways to use him if you decide he's the better of the two boys.

 

[WVduckchick]

Unless you don't want any blue genetics at all, I would recommend that you decide which rooster to keep based on how closely each one meets the Standard for the Orpington breed. Health, vigor, frame/bone structure, size, posture, growth rate (not too fast or too slow), fleshing out rate, temperament, etc ... are all things that make an Orpington an Orpington, much more so than just color. Compare each cockerel to the "ideal" bird, both the published Standard ideal, and what you want out of your personal breeding flock, before you decide which male will be your best foundation sire.

If you're not sure what all these details mean, you can post pictures of each male and ask people with Orpington knowledge to guide you through the selection process. Post a picture directly from the side, the front, the back, and the top of each one, and be sure to select pictures that represent each male accurately. There's lots of expertise available from BYC members who are willing to help.

Or, if you have the room and like both boys, you can keep them both in separate breeding groups. That would allow you to see who produces the best offspring.

I don't breed Orpingtons, so I'm not going to attempt to evaluate his quality. However, his blue coloration is gorgeous. If you don't hate the blues, then breeding him to a black hen should give you half blues and half blacks. Breeding him to a blue hen should give you 50% blue, 25% black, and 25% splash. So lots of color in those genetics if you decide to go that route. Or if his structural quality is good but you just don't want any color except black, you can still select for only black offspring with good conformation as your primary goal. Lots of ways to use him if you decide he's the better of the two boys.

 

[N Sully]

My real problem is too many roosters! I think I have temporary fix. I have 2 mottled Java roosters taking up half my coop space because they are bullies. I have decided I am going to put them in the freezer tomorrow so I can then use that space for all the boys until it’s nice enough outside to use my summer pens. Relief for the hens and extra time to decide which ones to keep. I will post pictures of the other rooster. Thank you all for chiming in. Appreciate it

 

[WVduckchick]

I have way too many roosters too. My extras roam free in my yard. They are bantams, so not much for the freezer, and they make better hawk bait instead of my ducks, when they are out and about.

 

[N Sully]

lol “better hawk bait”! They have an important purpose as decoys.
I might say freezer, but really mean dog food.

 

[WVduckchick]

I know that sounds kinda mean, but they have a pretty happy life here. I joked about the hawk bait the other day, and actually had one get snatched yesterday. But he got away with just a small scratch, and a bunch of missing back feathers. So whatever purpose they can serve, so be it.