What is the current interest in Barbu de Watermaels?

[PHquail]

I have some GF line Watermaels, all roos have perfect 3 point combs. I'm wondering, what would be the most sought after color variations? I currently have 2 roos in the lineup, and 8 hens.

Main Roo #1 being: Lighter colored morph. Slightly larger body. 3 point comb. Large comb. Dominant personality, with no aggression.

Main Roo #2. Gold colored morph. 3 point comb. Large comb. Dominant personality, no kicking aggression, but fluffs up and dances at me sideways lol?

Hen's have 4 morphs. No idea what true names are. Quail type. Type where chicks have a "wild type" pattern on their back like a wild quail or partridge. And Heavy black coloration. "Gold type." Picture is of "Gold type."

Normal "Quail" rooster example. Not in breeding rotation unless it is what people want. Darker neck band. Quail type. Strong personality, no kicking. All roos have perfect 3 point combs TBH. Medium sized comb.

 

[GodLovesU]

My personal first choice would be the quail, followed closely by the light colored one. I’m just judging by which one I think is prettiest.

 

[TallPinesRanch]

I guess it all depends on how closely you’d like your birds to match the ABA SOP.

Your 3rd rooster looks to have the best coloring if that’s what you’re going for but I would also base your decisions on their confirmation. Color can be tweaked a whole lot easier than structural characteristics.

It’s hard to tell which matches the SOP structurally the best just because of how they’re sitting but the Watermaal Club of America has some good resources on type and a description of the SOP.

This is my daughters quail rooster (for reference) who won best of breed at the Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers show last Oct. He’s a pretty good representation of correct coloring per SOP although I’d like to see a bit more saturation in his saddle feathers. My daughter loves her Watermaals.

 

[CastielH]

I have some GF line Watermaels, all roos have perfect 3 point combs. I'm wondering, what would be the most sought after color variations? I currently have 2 roos in the lineup, and 8 hens.

Main Roo #1 being: Lighter colored morph. Slightly larger body. 3 point comb. Large comb. Dominant personality, with no aggression.
View attachment 4043623

Main Roo #2. Gold colored morph. 3 point comb. Large comb. Dominant personality, no kicking aggression, but fluffs up and dances at me sideways lol?
View attachment 4043624
Hen's have 4 morphs. No idea what true names are. Quail type. Type where chicks have a "wild type" pattern on their back like a wild quail or partridge. And Heavy black coloration. "Gold type." Picture is of "Gold type."
View attachment 4043626
Normal "Quail" rooster example. Not in breeding rotation unless it is what people want. Darker neck band. Quail type. Strong personality, no kicking. All roos have perfect 3 point combs TBH. Medium sized comb.View attachment 4043627

Are you wanting to breed towards the SOP? That will impact the advice you get. It looks like all your birds are quail which is one of the more popular colors.