wildmtnhoney
In the Brooder
Hi!
So just last night, immediately after finishing our coop, my husband and I drove to his sister's house to pick out our first ever chickens! His sister is overwhelmed with her brood (she's a beginner too), so she was more than willing to part with a few to help us get started. I've done what I would consider a good bit of research since the spring in preparation for our first chickens, but I still haven't nailed down breed identification. I came to BYC for some more experienced eyes, in hopes of finding help IDing my new babies.
Just so you have a bit of context, the four chickens I have were purchased by my sister-in-law at a local flea market (N. Alabama) in March of this year. They were probably only a few days to a week old when she got them. That puts them at approximately 5 months old now. My sister-in-law didn't think to ask the lady she got them from about their breeds...there was simply a large cage full of chicks that you could take your pick from, so she picked out a dozen (some white, some black) and took them home. Five months later, four of those are now ours. The hens aren't laying (possibly the heat? or maturity?), but all four seem healthy and happy at their new home so far.
Anyway, here they are. I apologize if the pics aren't sufficient. Please let me know if you need better angles or close-ups--I will happily oblige!
This is Captain, our rooster. He looks like a good ol' Leghorn to me, but I'm really not sure. He crows in the mornings and seems to be a great protector. He's not super friendly, but is not mean to or afraid of us at all.
This is Helga. She's actually bigger than Captain and isn't friendly at all. She's obviously at the top of the hen pecking order. While she isn't mean, she isn't comfortable with us trying to pet her. Similar disposition to Captain, but outright runs away and flaps her wings when I get too close. Seems anxious. She has black tail feathers, some black on the feathers inside her wings, and her neck feathers have a touch of buff to them, not very evident in this photo.
This is Phyllis. She's very sweet, laid back, and friendly. I think she's a Black Australorp, but am not positive. I don't think you can tell in this picture, but she's got a few skinny red-brown feathers toward her back end and in her tail. Maybe Black Sex Link?
Last but not least is Rosemary. She is quite a bit smaller than the others, but is perhaps the friendliest and most curious with people. She tends to stick with Phyllis. I've had her less than 24 hours and she's already comfortable enough with me to eat mealworms out of my palm. She looks pretty immature to me. I have no idea what breed she is, but I guess that goes without saying.
I'm really looking forward to reading what you all think! Like I said, if you need better photos, please let me know. These are the best ones of those that I have taken since I got them last night, but will take more if you think it will help you ID them.
Thanks so much for your time and help! <3
So just last night, immediately after finishing our coop, my husband and I drove to his sister's house to pick out our first ever chickens! His sister is overwhelmed with her brood (she's a beginner too), so she was more than willing to part with a few to help us get started. I've done what I would consider a good bit of research since the spring in preparation for our first chickens, but I still haven't nailed down breed identification. I came to BYC for some more experienced eyes, in hopes of finding help IDing my new babies.
Just so you have a bit of context, the four chickens I have were purchased by my sister-in-law at a local flea market (N. Alabama) in March of this year. They were probably only a few days to a week old when she got them. That puts them at approximately 5 months old now. My sister-in-law didn't think to ask the lady she got them from about their breeds...there was simply a large cage full of chicks that you could take your pick from, so she picked out a dozen (some white, some black) and took them home. Five months later, four of those are now ours. The hens aren't laying (possibly the heat? or maturity?), but all four seem healthy and happy at their new home so far.
Anyway, here they are. I apologize if the pics aren't sufficient. Please let me know if you need better angles or close-ups--I will happily oblige!
This is Captain, our rooster. He looks like a good ol' Leghorn to me, but I'm really not sure. He crows in the mornings and seems to be a great protector. He's not super friendly, but is not mean to or afraid of us at all.
This is Helga. She's actually bigger than Captain and isn't friendly at all. She's obviously at the top of the hen pecking order. While she isn't mean, she isn't comfortable with us trying to pet her. Similar disposition to Captain, but outright runs away and flaps her wings when I get too close. Seems anxious. She has black tail feathers, some black on the feathers inside her wings, and her neck feathers have a touch of buff to them, not very evident in this photo.
This is Phyllis. She's very sweet, laid back, and friendly. I think she's a Black Australorp, but am not positive. I don't think you can tell in this picture, but she's got a few skinny red-brown feathers toward her back end and in her tail. Maybe Black Sex Link?
Last but not least is Rosemary. She is quite a bit smaller than the others, but is perhaps the friendliest and most curious with people. She tends to stick with Phyllis. I've had her less than 24 hours and she's already comfortable enough with me to eat mealworms out of my palm. She looks pretty immature to me. I have no idea what breed she is, but I guess that goes without saying.
I'm really looking forward to reading what you all think! Like I said, if you need better photos, please let me know. These are the best ones of those that I have taken since I got them last night, but will take more if you think it will help you ID them.
Thanks so much for your time and help! <3
He is definitely a crossbreed, and looks very similar to some Rhode Island Red/Silver Laced Wyandotte crosses I hatched and raised one year.
