What type of Rooster do YOU think I should get?

[Minky]

I have a small backyard flock. I was thinking I should get a rooster. We have a lot of space, so neighbours wont care (we have none) and I dont even think we'll hear him crow. We have forest right at our feet, so figured he may be good protection...? but what kind to get?

My main objective is free baby chicks when I want ...and colorful eggs! What kind of rooster would you get?

My hens:

Blue Maran (feathered legs) not laying yet!!!
Splash Maran (clean legs) dark brown eggs (maybe # 4/5)
Buff Orpington (light tan eggs)
Auracana (blue eggs)
Easter Eggers (sage green eggs)
Barnevelder (medium brown egg)

Any thoughts?

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

If you like having the green and blue eggs, go for a roo of one of those breeds. I've been told the is 50% of carrying on that trait.
Might want to research that to he sure.
I've read a bit on it, but not extensively.

 

[feedman77]

For colorful eggs I would say get an Easter egger roo. He should have the blue egg gene.

Would turn the brown egger chicks to somewhat olive.

But any roo that catches your eye for coloration would do good too.

The possibilities are whatever you want too make them

 

[wamtazlady]

I love to have a rooster around as the crowing is nice to hear. However, I ended up with 2 roosters that were people aggressive. Once was an EE and the other was a Polish. Did lots of research. Asked lots of questions. Ended up with Salmon Faverolles roosters. Absolutely love the choice. They are big and I love their markings. They take good care of their girls. They don't crow constantly. They stay away from me and I stay away from them. However, unlike you I wasn't looking for colorful eggs from babies. That makes your choice more difficult.

 

[BantyChooks]

Mediterranean breeds are the best at protection but they aren't super cold hardy. If you're willing to let them get frostbite the first year then they do work well. I've had some.

 

[wamtazlady]

Buff Orpington would have been my second choice.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I suggest a standard Old English Game rooster. They are good when it comes to protecting the flock. I have one that is a Bantam, Chester, who is fearless of all creatures big or small.
If you are looking for a rooster of the same breed as one of your hens, go with the smallest of breed of your hens. Too big of a rooster will accidentally hurt one of the smaller hens if he is too big.

 

[Minky]

Well, the rooster will need to be cold hardy, yes. We are in Canada.
Buff Orpington will not add any cool color genes tho, as far as eggs go.
I was leaning toward a Welsummer or Marans, since I thought the deep brown would turn EE chicks into Olive egger , and BO chicks darker brown, and deepen the marans color too.
But EE rooster or Aruacana rooster is an interesting idea.
I dont really want any mean roosters..... but I guess that is just luck.