A Craigslist Mystery - Blue Sapphires? Sussex?

[Kit_]

I bought three pullets from a local--a classic Craigslist deal that listed them as pullet hens. The seller said they're two blue sapphire Plymouth rocks and one silver laced sussex. They're around 6 weeks old. When comparing them to photos online, I'm not so sure. What do y'all think? One of the plymouths is a bit bigger with more developed wattle. I'm hoping they're actually pullets and not cockerels--I will have to rehome them if they're males. But in the meantime, I'm enjoying them!

Thanks in advance!

 

[JedJackson]

There is only one blue one, and I suspect it is a Sappire Gem, a hatchery hybrid, and not a blue Plymouth Rock. The darker ones may possibly be silver Sussex, but those are quite rare, so I'd be suspicious. They may be hatchery hybrids or backyard mixes. All look to be pullets to my eyes.

 

[JedJackson]

I was thinking they're hybrids/ backyard mixes (which is all well and good with me!). Glad to hear you think they're pullets!

Yes, backyard mixes are just as good for most purposes. Hope they lay lots of eggs for you, whatever they turn out to be.

 

[Kit_]

There is only one blue one, and I suspect it is a Sappire Gem, a hatchery hybrid, and not a blue Plymouth Rock. The darker ones may possibly be silver Sussex, but those are quite rare, so I'd be suspicious. They may be hatchery hybrids or backyard mixes. All look to be pullets to my eyes.

I was thinking they're hybrids/ backyard mixes (which is all well and good with me!). Glad to hear you think they're pullets!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Black hen looks kinda like a Norfolk Grey

After googling some pictures, the two black pullets do match that ID!

Aren’t those really rare? Doesn’t really seem very likely. But I guess it could be possible.

 

[Kit_]

Aren’t those really rare? Doesn’t really seem very likely. But I guess it could be possible.aftwr

Aren’t those really rare? Doesn’t really seem very likely. But I guess it could be possible.

You're right, Google just told me they're rare. I'm based on the western USA, and I doubt I'd accidentally come across Norfolk grays.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

They are not Sussex. Silver Sussex are incredibly rare in the US and have white skin and these have yellow. They're not Norfolk Greys, those aren't even in the US at all to my knowledge and if they are, they're not even available to the public. They also have white skin and these birds have yellow. They're mixed breed pullets

 

[Red Mangrove]

They are not Sussex. Silver Sussex are incredibly rare in the US and have white skin and these have yellow. They're not Norfolk Greys, those aren't even in the US at all to my knowledge and if they are, they're not even available to the public. They also have white skin and these birds have yellow. They're mixed breed pullets

My bad. I have two hens that look almost identical to the ones originally posted. Here they are sitting on a clutch of eggs together

Their father is of unknown breed, but the mother is a gamefowl and junglefowl mix. I figured maybe the dad was a Norfolk Grey because to my amateur eye him and his daughters look like them

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

My bad. I have two hens that look almost identical to the ones originally posted. Here they are sitting on a clutch of eggs together

Their father is of unknown breed, but the mother is a gamefowl and junglefowl mix. I figured maybe the dad was a Norfolk Grey because to my amateur eye him and his daughters look like them

You're just seeing the color birchen. It's a very common E locus in chickens. The other looks to be a leaky mottled. They're game mixes and the mother probably was as well as they look very light in type

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Definitely not either of the rare breeds mentioned wrong skin color. These guys are mixed. I had pullets hatch out the same color and they were Faverolle x silver penciled rocks. The silver birchen on black is not uncommon with the right mix of color parents.