How do you tell the difference between White Leghorns and White Stars

[kate2008]

Last month we obtained a couple of white battery birds at the end of a research study. They are six months old and enjoying the free life. I assumed they were White Leghorns but after looking at picture here on BYC, I realize they could be White Stars. How do you tell the difference. In pictures, they virtually the same.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

They are virtually the same. The hybrids will lay more eggs, designed for the egg laying industry. The main difference is the commercial hybrids will have a flopped over comb. Look of a Hyline layer. That's the pinnacle of white egg layers. Being a "star" I'd assume it's a sex link making obvious which will be layers at hatch. With that in mind there may be some leakage of other color. A Pearl White Leghorn is pure white.

 

[danieljames2k16]

I got told that he/she is a white star but I don't think he/she is

 

[Egghead_Jr]

She is not. It's a Columbian or Light such and such. By breed this color variety is called ether one. White legs and it's a Light Sussex, yellow legs and single comb Columbian Plymouth Rock, rose comb Columbian Wyandotte and pea comb with feathered feet is Light Brahma. There must be more...

 

[danieljames2k16]

What the sex he/she do you know

 

[kate2008]

Here are the birds in question. My guess is that they are likely a Hyline hybrid like since they were rescued from a egg production / feed efficiency study.