Buff orpington Roo cross breeding

[LisaChick1]

Hi there,
I have mixed flock of 7 hens with 16 more on the way.
I'm wondering if a Buff Orpington Roo would be a good choice for cross breeding with my girls. I have Buff orpington females and adore their personality, so I will be breeding them as well... But for the others, would I get any sex linked chicks with a BO as the father or could anyone explain what I might expect with a BO's genes as the father in a cross breed?

I have welsummers, light brahmas, easter eggers, black austrolourps, Golden and silver laced wyandottes buff rocks and white rocks, RIR NHR.... Any opinions or advice on rooster choice for this flock would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to breeding and incubating so I appreciate any information. I'd like a good looking rooster with larger egg production. Ideally protective of the girls but not too aggressive but I know that's not usually a choice I can make.

Thank you so much in advance

 

[Michael OShay]

A Buff Orpington rooster should be an excellent breed to cross breed with your girls. BOs are hardy, friendly and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of them), and good layers of large brown eggs. Those are excellent characteristics to breed into your flock.
Buff Orpington roosters can be used in Red Sex Link crosses by crossing your BO rooster with your Silver Laced Wyandotte (or possibly even your White Rock if it has the silver factor in it), but be aware that the light gold down expression by the female chicks can be somewhat difficult to distinguish from the male chicks' whitish color. A much more obvious sex link for your Buff Orpington would a Black Sex Link cross with a barred breed (Barred Rock, Dominique, or Cuckoo Marans).

 

[LisaChick1]

Thank you so much for your input and advice!!!!! Great to hear because I have a BO Roo on it's way. I was considering getting a welsummer roo as well to have them grow up together and be able to pure breed my Welsummers... Would you have any advice on that? Thank you again for taking the time to answer my last question. I really appreciate Your help.

 

[Michael OShay]

Thank you so much for your input and advice!!!!! Great to hear because I have a BO Roo on it's way. I was considering getting a welsummer roo as well to have them grow up together and be able to pure breed my Welsummers... Would you have any advice on that? Thank you again for taking the time to answer my last question. I really appreciate Your help.

I think breeding pure Welsummers is a great idea. I love the chocolate eggs of the Welsummers. In my personal opinion, they are the prettiest eggs in the chicken world. If you have two roos, just make sure you have enough hens to spread between them. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature, too many roosters will become very hard physically on your hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. You will also have to keep careful track of which rooster your Welsummer hens are mating with and make certain they are not mating with your Buff Orpington rooster.

 

[LisaChick1]

Awesome... Thank you! I'll have about 22 + 4 welsummer girls so I think it might be just perfect!

I'm so excited about the welsummers! They're still young and not laying but I cant wait for those dark eggs!
Thanks again for your input and advice!

 

[Michael OShay]

Awesome... Thank you! I'll have about 22 + 4 welsummer girls so I think it might be just perfect!

I'm so excited about the welsummers! They're still young and not laying but I cant wait for those dark eggs!
Thanks again for your input and advice!

You're welcome, and good luck with your breeding.