5 chicks, no identity

[Moebert86]

Hi there.
Two days ago I purchased some chicks from a teenager who was raising them for his FFA class. He knew they were exotic breeds, but couldn’t name any of them for me.
Based on colors alone, I think one may be an Easter egger and one may be an Americana. I’m new to chickens and have previously only bought from Tractor Supply and knew what I was getting.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[Perris]

the first one looks a bit like a light sussex, but I don't recognize any of the others. It would help if you could get some photos such that we can see the whole bird, standing up, for each of them. Also if you know how old they are.

 

[Moebert86]

the first one looks a bit like a light sussex, but I don't recognize any of the others. It would help if you could get some photos such that we can see the whole bird, standing up, for each of them. Also if you know how old they are.

Sussex and Easter Egger are the two I’m leaning towards with her. The sussex throws me off a bit though, as she has black wingtips and speckles. I’m going to add a couple more pictures. It’s hard to get pictures of them as I don’t believe they were socialized with humans at all, other than feeding time. These birds run from us, and are hard to catch when they’re in the coop.

 

[Moebert86]

the first one looks a bit like a light sussex, but I don't recognize any of the others. It would help if you could get some photos such that we can see the whole bird, standing up, for each of them. Also if you know how old they are.

Sorry, forgot to mention they’re roughly two months old.

 

[Perris]

The sussex throws me off a bit though, as she has black wingtips and speckles

she may be what is sometimes called 'hatchery quality' i.e. wouldn't win anything at a show. Or is not as pure bred as assumed. 'Exotic' is a label that covers all sorts!

I know, it's really hard to get a decent photo - they can run so fast, and hardly ever stand still long enough to get it focused!

 

[Moebert86]

she may be what is sometimes called 'hatchery quality' i.e. wouldn't win anything at a show. Or is not as pure bred as assumed. 'Exotic' is a label that covers all sorts!

I know, it's really hard to get a decent photo - they can run so fast, and hardly ever stand still long enough to get it focused!

I agree. I’ve looked through so many pictures of chickens tonight and have come no closer to figuring them out. I don’t HAVE to know, but it’s frustrating because I WANT to know. I’m the type of owner who researches her birds to get to know them and their characteristics and what to watch for. It bugs me when I can’t do that lol.

 

[LaFleche]

He knew they were exotic breeds, but couldn’t name any of them for me.

Well, that should not come as a surprise as these chicks look just like barnyard mixes, nothing exotic about them. One can only guess that some of the mother hens might have been production hybrids of some kind, maybe "Comets".

But do not let this bother you or lessen your excitement. They will be nice chickens if you handle them with care and affection, just like any other real breed.

 

[Moebert86]

Well, that should not come as a surprise as these chicks look just like barnyard mixes, nothing exotic about them. One can only guess that some of the mother hens might have been production hybrids of some kind, maybe "Comets".

Considering I stated I’m new to chickens, it DOES come as a surprise to me. I don’t think they’re comets. I’ve been looking into those and they don’t seem to fit. One can only guess though.

 

[LaFleche]

Well, I guess he just mentioned the "exotic breeds" as sale promotion.

There are a multitude of commercial hybrids given another multitude of fancy names, often different names for the same type of hybrid depending on the hatcheries, it is almost impossible to keep up with the ever rising amount.

Don't let this bother you, enjoy the cute little chicks and maybe you want to post new pictures a few month later and then also of their first eggs. This might help with the parentage guessing game.