Okay guys, so "Dude" is settling in well with his new hen. Going to keep collecting eggs for the fridge from them for another week or so, just until I'm "sure" the RIR x Claret rooster that was covering her no longer has any mini-me's in her system. Put the two of them on the breeder diet and I can barely pick him up on my hand anymore. I'd put him at weighing closer to 9-10 now, but haven't scaled him lately. This will be his first 'breeding' season. Not sure on the mystery shamo looking hen... Swear I will get more pictures as weather allows of these two. Really excited about meaty potential out of these two.
I think I'm starting to see why I was told to 'not mess with that asil rooster' - He's DEFINITELY not pure. He's HUGE! - Going on two and nearing 10 lbs... hate to see him at a mature weight. My Clarets at mature weights are only 6-7 as BIG roosters. Noticeable size difference in Dude and my other roosters. Also, does anyone have pictures of what 'full feathering' vs 'light(?) feathering' - Is the light feathering style of birds those that have no feathers in the chest/under body region? His only 'bare' spot is around his crop and a small patch on his breast bone that never feathers.