Which rooster would you keep?

[rodeorulz]

Oh yes I really don't have any complaints so to speak when it comes to my cochin rooster and being docile. I'm not sure he's entirely innocent when it comes to fighting with the other roosters though Boys will be boys

 

[junebuggena]

Easter Egger mixes. Neither has a pea comb, so most likely neither one has a blue shell gene to pass on.

 

[enoryz]

Maybe he's mad cause he can't grow a beard.

 

[red horse ranch]

Oh yes I really don't have any complaints so to speak when it comes to my cochin rooster and being docile. I'm not sure he's entirely innocent when it comes to fighting with the other roosters though Boys will be boys

You got that right! My Cochin rooster is almost 3 yrs and I didn't think he had an aggressive bone in him. But my 6 month old SS rooster has been challenging him and he will stand up for himself. My Cochin stays.. but the verdict is still out on the Speckled Sussex!

 

[Abriana]

Keep the one that will properly care for the flock, that is friendly toward you and young children especially, and if they’re both like that then pick the one you like and think is pretty.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I find the top rooster the more attractive in conformation, coloration, and overall appearance of health. Very pretty boys!

 

[rodeorulz]

Easter Egger mixes. Neither has a pea comb, so most likely neither one has a blue shell gene to pass on.

Hmmm...I guess I thought they were pea combs...why do you say they are not? They definitely had pea combs as chicks, I just assumed that the roosters' pea combs would get larger than the hens' (as do all/most other breeds, right?). The parents were definitely "Americauna" or Easter Egger and to my best knowledge not crosses. However, that being said I know EEs are not "purebreds" so I imagine there could be "throwback" genes that are causing their combs to be larger than the "standard" for pea combs.

Maybe he's mad cause he can't grow a beard.

Sadly, he can grow one...the others were just too rough on him when he was re-introduced back into the flock

You got that right! My Cochin rooster is almost 3 yrs and I didn't think he had an aggressive bone in him. But my 6 month old SS rooster has been challenging him and he will stand up for himself. My Cochin stays.. but the verdict is still out on the Speckled Sussex!

Good to know about the Speckled Sussex! I'd like to add them to the flock at some point

Keep the one that will properly care for the flock, that is friendly toward you and young children especially, and if they’re both like that then pick the one you like and think is pretty.

Absolutely! The disposition of the rooster is one of the top priorities if not the number 1 priority. I already have a lead rooster that seems to be taking good care of the flock, so that position is already filled We've already had to cull some roosters with aggression issues (towards people) so now we're down to the "good" ones.

I find the top rooster the more attractive in conformation, coloration, and overall appearance of health. Very pretty boys!

Do you have a picture of sorts or perhaps a link that breaks down chicken conformation? That is definitely something I need to learn more about. The top one may and up being the one that gets kept due to what seems to be a poor attitude with the bottom one.

 

[junebuggena]

Hmmm...I guess I thought they were pea combs...why do you say they are not? They definitely had pea combs as chicks, I just assumed that the roosters' pea combs would get larger than the hens' (as do all/most other breeds, right?). The parents were definitely "Americauna" or Easter Egger and to my best knowledge not crosses. However, that being said I know EEs are not "purebreds" so I imagine there could be "throwback" genes that are causing their combs to be larger than the "standard" for pea combs.

Those are single combs. Not even close to being pea combs. They are definitely not from a 'pure' flock. There are other things that have been crossed into those guys. The pea comb gene and the blue shell gene typically inherited together. So neither is likely to have a blue shell gene to pass to offspring.

 

[TattooedChicks]

For conformation I look at over all balance. How clean is that top line from head to tail, how developed is the breast, how do they carry their wings and tails, how do their feathers lay over the shape of the body, do their legs look proportional to their size, how handsome is their face shape including comb and wattles, how expressive are the eyes, does the bird just have that extra something.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

The reason I ask is that I have a golden laced Wyandotte/Australorp rooster who has been leader of my flock for almost 7 years. Couldn't ask for a better rooster. Not aggressive but definitely the boss. I haven't had much luck in keeping EE roosters because most of them have become aggressive but if they have a Wyandotte or Australorp parent they may end up being keepers.
You didn't say how old they are but I usually know by the time they are 4 months old whether they will be staying or going into the freezer. Don't choose by looks alone. Personality of the rooster is what matters.

I have a couple of Wyandotte/Australorps too! They make a great great chook. Lay every day too. Probably my favourite cross