To keep a roo or not

[debakadeb]

This year, I purchased several baby chickens from one hatchery. Of the chooks, there are 5 or so roosters. I had planned on keeping one of them figuring that I have 3 pullets of the same breed. Then, after reading a post, it occurred to me since I got these all in the same batch they could be brother/sister. So now I'm not sure whether I should keep any of these roosters or not. What do you think?

 

[tackyrama]

This is just a guess but I would think they have many hundreds or thousands of eggs processed daily at the hatchery so the probabilities of being brother/sister are small. It would be in their interest to guard against selling inbred eggs or eggs too closely related for a healthy flock.

 

[lux_interior]

I agree, hatcheries have SO many eggs, and they ship them out by who hatches that day.... it's a slight chance they are related, but probably not... what breed are they?

 

[debakadeb]

Buff Orpington. I also have a pair of speckled sussex and a pair of SLW's but only want to keep one rooster. Since I have more of the orpington's I thought those would be the better ones to keep. I have a cochin that likes to go broody....

Thank you for responding. I was hoping it would be okay to keep one of the orpington roosters.

 

[ridgefire]

Shouldnt be any problem breeding them even if they are related. Inbreeding in birds isnt as bad as it is in other animals.