Which roo should I choose...

[shelleyb1969]

for my Olive Egger pen? I have 2 roosters...a Black Copper Maran and a Blue Wheaten Ameraucana...and I can't choose which one to use in my Olive Egger pen. I only want one of them because I've also got a really unique EE roo (that's a BWA X EE cross) that's going in the pen. The hens will include BCM, Ameraucana, and EEs. I had originally planned on putting both the Marans AND the Ameraucana rooster in the pen...but the Marans rooster just won't integrate with the smaller Ameraucana and EE roos. He's MUCH bigger and his hormones are well in force already.

Now to add some factors to consider...
1) I live in Michigan...and it gets C-O-L-D!!! Winter hardiness is a big concern.
2) Since I'll be able to sell purebred hatching eggs from either of these breeds, desire and demand are key components. I want to keep the breed that will continue to rise (or at least maintain) popularity.
3) Egg production, even during the winter months, needs to be steady.
4) Aggression of any degree will not be tolerated.
5) There is a possibility that my Olive Egger flock will be free-ranged at some point. I need a good rooster to protect the flock rather than one that would rather lounge around the feeder in the coop.

So come on folks...take the poll and help me choose!

And please post your thoughts in regards to my concerns.

 

[hcammack]

Keep the ameraucana he will be hardier in the winter. I also think that because there was a BCM boom now there is going to be a bust because they are so readily available. The BCM roo's comb may also suffer during very cold winters. Good luck I bet they are beautiful!

Henry

 

[gryeyes]

That IS tough. But I vote the Ameraucana for the reasons stated by the first reply.

 

[muddyhorse]

could you post some pics ???

 

[shelleyb1969]

These aren't the greatest pics, but they'll have to do. Both of them are still very young...around 3 1/2 months old.

BCM roo:

BWA roo:

And here's my EE roo that's going to share the pen with one of them:

 

[BarredBuff]

Im saying the Ameracauna.

 

[jenn-E]

I personally like the Ameraucana better, but since you already have an EE, the Maran would potentially give you more olive eggs (would get olive eggs with the BCM x EE & the BCM x Ameraucana), whereas with the EE & Ameraucana roos, you would only get olive eggers from your Maran hens. But if you had both the Ameraucana roo & the EE roo at least you would know that all of your Maran eggs would be olive eggers (with a BCM roo & a EE roo in the pen I'm not sure how you would tell). So I've now talked myself full circle, back to the Ameraucana.

 

[Mahonri]

Keep the Blue Wheaten Ameraucana... what else would I tell you?

 

[shelleyb1969]

This poll is very interesting. The Ameraucana rooster is way ahead, but the Marans roo does have a couple of votes. But whomever voted for him hasn't posted.

I'm trying to accumulate legitimate pros and cons for each.

I'm not taking this decision lightly as the BCM roo was a gift from a friend and I had full intention of using him. But the roo's got different plans when it comes to being around other roosters.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Pics posted.