Hi this is Ruth

[dreamyj]

We ordered 16 chicks from McMurray in May. We received a free chick also. I am stumped as to what kind of chicken she is. Anyone able to tell breed of Ruth? And it is Ruth not Roger I hope!

 

[Cyprus]

Free chicks are almost always male. And so is this one. This is a cockerel.
He is either a black Australorp or a black jersey giant.
What color is the bottom of his feet?

 

[dreamyj]

Thank you for your response. This chick has the most personality of the bunch! Just my luck it would be cockerel. We have australorps and I didn’t think this one looked like they did as chicks. If it is Jersey giant he isn’t very giant. Lol. He was smallest of the 17 when we got them and had some breathing issues first few days. Thought we might lose him. Must have been stressed from shipping as he is doing fine now.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Thank you for your response. This chick has the most personality of the bunch! Just my luck it would be cockerel. We have australorps and I didn’t think this one looked like they did as chicks. If it is Jersey giant he isn’t very giant. Lol. He was smallest of the 17 when we got them and had some breathing issues first few days. Thought we might lose him. Must have been stressed from shipping as he is doing fine now.

The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is the foot color. The bottoms of the feet are pinkish/grayish for austrolorps, and yellow for jersey giants. As you got these from a hatchery, if he was a BJG, I wouldn't expect him to be huge. Hatchery versions of the birds tend to have differences. From what I've seen, it means my BJG and my brahmas are on the small side.

 

[Cyprus]

Agreed he would not be big if he is a BJG.
I have three hens of that breed that I got from a hatchery and they are barely any taller than my Australorp hen. I was just informed yesterday that are less than 1/4 of the size of a proper giant.

 

[keesmom]

Could be a black Minorca or black Andalusian.

 

[Folly's place]

My hatchery JG's were very nice birds, but also not giants. BUT the two smallest hens out of the group lived well to ten years of age, and could roost up high, and were very friendly. Definitely worthwhile!
JG's grow very slowly, too, so full size may take a year, or more.
Mary

 

[dreamyj]

Just checked bottoms of feet. They are a pinkish color. Therefore Australorp is probably the breed. We have two Australorp hens about 3 yrs old. Very sweet girls (Zoey & Zelda) who still lay very well. We recently rehomed roosters. We kept one white silkie roo. Hubby has really taken to Ruth so we shall see.

 

[Cyprus]

Just checked bottoms of feet. They are a pinkish color. Therefore Australorp is probably the breed. We have two Australorp hens about 3 yrs old. Very sweet girls (Zoey & Zelda) who still lay very well. We recently rehomed roosters. We kept one white silkie roo. Hubby has really taken to Ruth so we shall see.

I love Australorps

 

[dreamyj]

Just wanted to update turned out he’s a Minorca. We named him Rufus. He is such a sweetheart jumps up on my lap to be loved and cuddled on. Yep he’s staying right here.