Be happy! Much like Blue-Black-Splash in other breeds of chickens, the Splash (sometimes referred to as a "Buff" although I don't know why) means that it does not carry the black gene. If you have two black genes (one from each parent), you get black. If you have only one black gene, then you...
My Barnevelders are pretty good layers in the winter here in Colorado. So although they probably won't lay while they're molting, you may get eggs again once they finish.
I'm thinking that it's too soon to tell for sure, especially just from the front-on pics. Give them two more weeks, and it should (hopefully) be obvious.
I can easily tell males from females by the 7 week mark, and probably sooner (I don't remember for sure). You won't need to wait for crowing. The males have a different lacing pattern. More solid parts, and for the black ones, they look blacker than the females who are stripey all over.
For hatchery birds, Ideal has sexed Barnevelders. They're in Texas. If you order now, you can probably get some early next spring. I'm too new to the breed to comment on the quality of their stock, but I've liked the Barnevelders I've bought from them.
The only breeder I've purchased from so...
Gruffy, where are you located? Perhaps some of the members can help you find more Barnevelders. I've had pretty good luck finding day-old chicks, none of which were nearby, but they seemed to survive shipping reasonably well. Once you find a breeder, you may have to get on a waiting list and...
If you are new to chickens, you may want to avoid breeds that are expensive and/or delicate.
And as was stated before, I'm not aware of any way to tell which baby chick will have nice lacing. They're pretty much just fuzzballs at that point! I usually grow out several for each one I plan to...
Thanks, Katie. I haven't had much luck with eggs being viable after traveling through the mail system (I think I got one chick out of 30 eggs last year?), but I will keep trying.
I'm looking for a buff/splash or possibly a blue Barnevelder rooster. Or both. Two roosters would be good. I live in Colorado. Anyone out this way?
Or someone who would ship chicks would be helpful to know about, too. Thanks!
I'm looking for a buff (splash) Barnevelder rooster. Or maybe blue if buff isn't practical/affordable. I live in Colorado. Any breeders nearby?
I am also interested in chicks if someone is willing to ship them.
I'm looking for LF, not bantam. I'm in Colorado. Are there any breeders this direction? Or is there a breeder who will ship chicks? Is there a breeder's association for the breed?