What age do you choose cockerels for breeding project?

[sdm111]

If possible keep a spare or 2 hens too incase you lose any to sickness predators accidents etc. Or gift a couple few out that you could use if necessary

 

[SpicyDisaster]

If possible keep a spare or 2 hens too incase you lose any to sickness predators accidents etc. Or gift a couple few out that you could use if necessary

That's actually the easy part, I sell eggs to the neighbors to help cover feed costs so letting the hens grow out and only matching the best up will be an easier feat thankfully!

 

[Amer]

One more thing to add.
4 months is the perfect time to make your initial choices, and in bantams, it’s even more ideal. Four months is when most chickens reach sexual maturity. At four months, birds can be butchered and also, four month olds are the youngest birds that are tested for pullorum typhoid (a blood test.) However, I understand large fowl might take 8 months to grow to their optimal size and type depending on the breed, so to make your final cuts later, rather than sooner.

 

[ColtHandorf]

@ColtHandorf @The Moonshiner

Personally since I work with smaller numbers currently, it's more so weeding out who I DON'T want that leaves me with my best/only choice until the next group

Unless they have a major defect then I don't rule them out. English Orpingtons are notoriously late bloomers. Most serious breeders don't make final selections until they are 18 months. Usually by nine I can start picking favorites.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Unless they have a major defect then I don't rule them out. English Orpingtons are notoriously late bloomers. Most serious breeders don't make final selections until they are 18 months. Usually by nine I can start picking favorites.

Yeah. Usually the ones I know I don't want are mainly the wrong combs or missing muffs with the breeds I have currently. But I also deal with lesser stock usually, so... serious breeders usually have more minutes things they look for

 

[Poultrybonkers]

When i had ameraucanas i only had two cockerels to three hens for picking had a hen with scissor beak processed her one was blind processed her only one hen was useable but sold her kept both roosters breh the one to a brown layer for easter eggers found out when those laid he wasnt pure even though he came from a breeder out of state so processed him only have one rooster left but not breeding ams used him for olive eggers. all 5 ameraucanas came from a breeder in maryland...will never buy from a breeder again.