Which Breed Roos would you keep?

[sarahandbray]

Assuming they are nice enough to get along, we are hoping to have two Roos with our flock of 20ish hens. Have 43 straight run chicks that are 4 weeks old.

Which Roo breeds would you keep? Goal is breeding for egg laying, for fun, and variety of egg colors. Here's what I think I have so far (some I'm 100% positive on, some not so sure!)

Which two should I keep, if they're sweet and a decent looking bird (and get along with the girls!)

-Brown Leghorn
-Lavender Orpington
-Barred Rocks
-Dixie Rainbow/Pioneer (super sweet birds...but I think they're out of the running)
-Black Copper Maran
-Welsummer
-Ameracuana
-Olive Egger
-Delaware

Thanks!!
Sarah

 

[Tricia5099]

Lavender Orping FOR SURE! they are beautiful and quite a character. Orpingotns are an amazing breed. and for color I would go Welsummer

 

[Michael OShay]

Lavender Orping FOR SURE! they are beautiful and quite a character. Orpingotns are an amazing breed.

I agree. I would keep the Lavender Orpington roo. Not only are they beautiful, but Orpingtons are the friendliest, calmest, and gentlest breed on your list, which is exactly what you want in a rooster. You don't want to breed aggression into your flock.

 

[cash money]

Lavender orphington and black copper maran or Americana so dark brown eggs or blue eggs

 

[chikkenfriend]

Orps and Barred Plymouth Rocks! Rocks are the sweetest!! We've have three now and they're great!! Read Superman in my signature. That's Beethoven. He's a Rock. And he loves to be held and petted.

 

[sarahandbray]

Thanks!! I LOVE the look of Barred Plymouth Rocks...they look so...old-farmhouse, homestead-ish running around the "farm." (Umm...two acres in suburbia...)

The only thing about the Barred Rocks is that if we want Barnyard Mutt chickens hatched by broody hens, they said they would all have barring.
Definitely thinking Lavender Orpington Roo since they are SO PRETTY (everyone's favorite who come to visit...petite little seagull looking chicks with big eyes!)
So far, the Leghorns have been very skittish (last to catch), the Barred Rocks most inquisitive and nervy, the Dixie Rainbows the most friendly and sweet, and the Welsummers, Black Copper Marans, Ameracuanas, and Olive Eggers more reserved and shy.
SO hoping that means most of them are GIRLS! The boys are so much more outgoing, curious and friendly at this point! (Trying to win my good graces and stay off the chopping block!)

How likely do you think it will be for me to find homes for some of these young boys? At what age? When they crow?

I'm almost 100% sure on maybe 10-12 Roos...but it's my first time raising chickens so I don't want to cull and be wrong!!!

 

[chikkenfriend]

True. Get Rocks and you'll bar everybody. Orps would be my next choice