Assorted chicks - what are they??

Last week I received a double Cackle Hatchery Surprise Package of 104 chicks and poults. I've watched the many videos Cackle posted on youtube that showcase each breed. I don't think that helped with a lot of them, since they do look alike, with slight variations that are not summarized anywhere in detail. Here are some of the chicks I have that are thriving! I only know what a few of them are.

1 Some that look like this have a little more or less gray, and some have almost striped wings.

2 A little smaller, lighter in color


3 Maybe Polish, but not as well-defined head puff

4 I believe this is a White Polish, with a very well-defined puff.


5 This one has a pronounced breast, it's not just a huge crop. This one really puzzles me.


6. I have about a dozen of these

7. From the cheeks and beard, I think this is an EE

8. Same for this one, although the head is a lot puffier than #7 (Shall I call it Trump?) There are other breeds that have puffs and beards but I don't think Cackle sells those.



9 I have one of these. Spangled Hamburg?

10 The turkey poult was obviously not a chick. Looks to me like Mr Burns! I'll have to call another chick Smithers.

Any suggestions and advice is appreciated!

#6 looks like a Barred Plymouth Rock to me.

I believe your #6's are Barred Rocks-- black with the white spot on its head and the wing edges. The black one with a white chest in the 2nd pic is a Black Australorp. You'll know when the wings start to go stripey.

2 days:

17 days:

I would keep an eye on #5, looks like a CornishX, a meat bird...
#7 & #8 look to be EE's...
#10 white turkey, possibly broad breasted or white midget (dunno what they have)

Thank you so much! I will keep an eye on them all, and look for signs that they are indeed what you have suggested.

Barred Rocks and the Australorp are very welcome, because I want good layers.

I requested no banties or meat birds. One meat bird is no big deal but IIRC, those must be watched lest they eat themselves to death. I had a couple of tiny yellow chicks that were likely banties but they did not survive past the first day.

All in all, I am happy with what I have. The Polish I will sell in a few weeks, once I am certain they will survive and perhaps I will be able to determine gender. (I know a woman who wanted any Silkies I got but there were none in the assortment.) The colored egg layers and the good production layers are exactly what I want and I believe I have enough of those to keep selling to local stores and starting up a breeding program.

Liddy said:

Thank you so much! I will keep an eye on them all, and look for signs that they are indeed what you have suggested.

Barred Rocks and the Australorp are very welcome, because I want good layers.

I requested no banties or meat birds. One meat bird is no big deal but IIRC, those must be watched lest they eat themselves to death. I had a couple of tiny yellow chicks that were likely banties but they did not survive past the first day.

All in all, I am happy with what I have. The Polish I will sell in a few weeks, once I am certain they will survive and perhaps I will be able to determine gender. (I know a woman who wanted any Silkies I got but there were none in the assortment.) The colored egg layers and the good production layers are exactly what I want and I believe I have enough of those to keep selling to local stores and starting up a breeding program.

Click to expand...

Very neat! If all the dark/black chicks have the spot on the head it's likely they're all Barred Rocks.
Here's a Black Australorp at 2 days old:



Also 2 days old, BA is in the back, Barred Rock is in the front.

WOW, lots of chicks! I see a few BRs, BAs, Polishs, and EEs. Its hard to say for the rest.

I have now had these chicks for a week. 104 arrived, alert and alive. 60 have survived, hale and hearty except for one BR that doesn't put any weight on one leg. It gets around and quickly, however, and there are no obvious signs of injury or swelling so I am not inclined to treat or cull it.

#9 above, a week later, has lost its yellow flanks.

The black Turken and this EE are doing well.
I took some close-ups of some of the EE faces, to facilitate comparison of their combs as they grow. I just like this portrait.




TURKEY PHOTOBOMB!!!

1 and 2 One light wing, one dark wing, both unidentified.

BTW, I adore those tiny peep tails! These are 1 1/2 weeks old in these pics.

3 This tiny one almost looks like a cowbird, with that brown head. It is significantly smaller than the others.

4 Um, didn't I just have a chick in my hand?


5 I'm now pretty certain these are Golden Laced Polish chicks. They look just like the ones in the pics on the Cackle site.



The little one that is likely a BR is now putting weight on both its feet, so whatever caused the lameness is healing. Yay!