Who to cull?

[TwinMommy2009]

I bought Buff Orpingtons straight run, 11 roos, 6 hens. Its culling time and Im wondering what I should look for in my "keeper rooster"? Largest comb? Biggest feet?? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[shellz131]

look for the nicest roo and one that does his "job" well

 

[TwinMommy2009]

Thanks for your quick reply!

Well, they all seem fairly nice and could be great flock protectors.... wondering more so based on breed standard/looks.

 

[RAREROO]

Maybe post pics of the top 3 or 5 candidates and let us help you pic. Personally I would go for overall size and type first.

 

[Cowgirl71]

I like too look for, above all, a roo who treats his hens well, and who won't attack humans. How old are yours? If you could maybe pick your top three or so, and then keep them until they're six or seven months old, you'll have a good idea of their temperaments...

#1 - NEVER attacks a human.
#2 - Calls hens to food.

Also I like to see him court the hen first (spreads wings and prances in a scooping motion in front of her). I read an article somewhere that said that in olden days a rooster would court a hen, and only breed her if she accepted, and crouched to allow him to breed her. Which was much more gentle for her than being chased, finally caught, and roughly held by the rooster while being bred. These days many roosters don't court the hens, and instead they just run them down.

I have three roosters, one of which has a date in a couple weeks with the big black pot... He's good for #1, only occasionally does #2, and never courts a hen prior to breeding her.

 

[TwinMommy2009]

Thanks, this is very good info to know!

I chose what I thought to be the most even tempered, largest and "prettiest".

Thanks again.

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