Accidental Chicken Owner, what kind are these?

[IndependenceArt]

Ok, someone played a prank on my dad and he and my mother woke up to a makeshift chicken pen in the front yard last Sunday. Lol. (mom didn't think it was as funny as dad did. Haha!)






They live in a subdivision and keeping them were not an option so I am the proud new mommy to 6 little chickens. I've always kinda wanted chickens but never took the leap. Can anyone tell me what kind they think these are and if they are male or female? I would appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. This s strictly a guess, but they look as if they may be cornish rock X. If so they will grow rapidly and may present a myriad of health issues. Red combs already showing on several indicate cockerel. I really hope that I am wrong on the breed guess as these birds are short lived.

 

[wingstone]

I would say you got some meaties there......That is not a very funny prank, can see that your mother was not amused.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Would need individual pics of them to figure out sex. They are super cute but its hard to tell anything in that pic. They look white and yellowish.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

They look like Cornish X to me. That is a meat breed. Which are breed to butcher at 8 to 12 weeks. They gain wt. real fast and don't live very long. Top pic is a male. 2nd pic left to right. female and male. 3rd pic male closest to your hand and the one further back is a female. The one behind her is just a tail shot so I can't tell.

 

[IndependenceArt]

Thanks. I've had them for two weeks now. Here is what they looked like when I first got them. They were pretty yellow when I got them and now they are all feathering out completely white.

 

[Panth]

I realize that you are a little excited to have these chickens and I think that getting chickens is a WONDERFUL idea....but meat breeds are not a good way to start unless you are completely ok with calling them dinner in just a few more weeks. I would highly suggest that you do not try to keep them to adulthood (although some have done this) as they will not be healthy and will die young anyway. If I were you, I wouldnt get any more attached and plan on butchering them or selling them soon. If you would like chickens as "pets" you will need to go with a different breed.

 

[BGinVA]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but I've read several times that they don't do well raising them to adulthood, so how do you ever get babies if you want a sustainable meat flock? Is it because its a cross and the parents can be raised to adulthood whereas the x offspring can't?

 

[debid]

Not trying to hijack the OP's thread, but I've read several times that they don't do well raising them to adulthood, so how do you ever get babies if you want a sustainable meat flock? Is it because its a cross and the parents can be raised to adulthood whereas the x offspring can't?

Most folks who go with a sustainable flock get dual-purpose birds just like so many farmers did before these specialized meat birds were developed. My grandparents kept white Rocks, for example. There are lots of breeds that are suitable for this purpose.