which cockerel to keep?

[robyn8]

I wasn't sure which forum to put this on, but here goes. We have a mixed flock with currently 3 hens, 5 pullets about 4 months old, 2 cockerels about 4 months and 4 chicks about 7 weeks. I think 1 chick is a boy and the others are girls, but time will tell. I can't decide which cockerel to keep. I realize I may have to decide again when our chicks are bigger, but for now, how should I decide which cockerel to keep?

They are both silkie orpington mixes from our broody hen and one is considerable more handsome in my opinion. He's also bigger than the other one...a little smaller than our orpington hens. Any advice on which one to keep other than looks? My goal is just a rooster who is nice to the ladies and not mean to us humans, and some fertile eggs for our broodies. I don't care about SOP or real breeding...these are just backyard chickens.

We've had bad luck with roosters so far and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on what to look for. The bigger one seems to be the alpha between the two but the smaller ones seems to be having better luck breeding with the hens. he has mounted a few times and then been knocked off by the bigger cockerel. the bigger cockerel keeps going after the pullets who are not ready yet and seems too scared of the hens to try with them.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[chicks are life]

I would do the smaller one easyeir on the hens then the larger ones.

But whatever is more docile to you keep

 

[robyn8]

They both are terrified of the humans right now. Should I wait a bit longer? their father was a silkie who seemed fine until he turned on us one day. He was scared of us until about 8 months old and then he would try to attack anyone who came near his hens.

 

[chicks are life]

That's good keep them scared it means they think your in charge.

Anytime they crow,do there little dance, or mate with hens in your presence chase him for 20 seconds.

 

[robyn8]

thanks for the tip! my kids enjoy chasing them so they'll love this!

 

[chicks are life]

Lol

 

[TattooedChicks]

Let me know how you decide, I have two japanese cockerels that are going to be very hard to choose between as they are identical in almost every way!

 

[chicks are life]

Thats a hard choice

 

[TattooedChicks]

Thats a hard choice

If their combs weren't slightly different, I'd swear I was seeing double every day.

 

[chicks are life]

Soooo pretty

Just keep both and rotate roos.plus Japanese are so little they barley do damage to the hens they me be able to live together

How many hens you have for them?