Any insight as to breed(s)?

[JenniMcChick]

These babies are between 13 & 14 weeks now.

Purchased what I was told were BBS Orpingtons from a "breeder", but it became obvious at 3 days old they were NOT, as little feathers started popping up on their legs! Ironically, the only one I'm sure was a Marans (the Cuckoo) was the only one with clean legs.

Guesses were initially Marans. & since they were not growing tails like the Cuckoo that was obviously a pullet, I assumed these were all male.
But as time passes, I don't think they are all male, nor Marans.

Blue & black male (?): If not PB, thinking lots of Cochin in this one. Super sweet, friendly & docile. Right now anyway.

Blue pullet: always been the smallest one. Not super friendly, but not skiddish or timid either. Aloof a better description. Smart & problem solves well to keep herself out of reach of older hens. Guessing some Aruacana in this one? Feet not nearly as feathered so guess could be Marans vs Cochin since she's not as big. Maybe an Olive Egger of some sort?

Splash: RN guessing pullet again, but this one has had me guessing the whole time! They were given to a broody BO to raise & she/he always stayed very close to Mama. Again, not skiddish, but much less outgoing & much more leery than the others.
Bigger than the blue pullet, but not quite as big (or fluffy) as the one I'm calling the Cochin cockrel. Very little feathering on feet. Aracauna cross?

Another thing perplexing me: that line going down their breast dividing it in 2. Most prevalent on the male, then the splash, barely noticeable now on the blue pullet. I've never seen that before! & since all 3 have signs of it, leads me to believe they share a parent?

Thoughts or insights on any of the above??

& thank you!!

 

[WingItRanch]

@BlueTheBrahma @wrathsfarm what do you think?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

The one with clean legs could be a lavender orpington. The last bird looks like it might also have a bit of a beard, if so then I would say a cochin and easter egger cross. The rest of them are probably going to be some sort of cochin cross.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I’m guessing Orpington x Cochin. (Or Australorp x Cochin.) They do look like US quality Orpis, but those foot feathers are very long in most of them. A marans shouldn’t have shank feathers this long, nor should their legs be entirely blue.

Their feathers are more in line with my Brahma crosses, but since they have a single comb, I’d say it was Cochin.

My only other suggestion would be poor quality Croad Langshans.

 

[JenniMcChick]

The one with clean legs could be a lavender orpington. The last bird looks like it might also have a bit of a beard, if so then I would say a cochin and easter egger cross. The rest of them are probably going to be some sort of cochin cross.

Thank you for your insight!
The splash does have some slight feathering on her shanks & outer toe, much more like a Marans vs the more heavily feathered Cochin. So while a lavender orpington would be cool (my husband's favorite chicken breed & color!), I don't think that's much of an option here. Although what ever IT is, I think it's gonna be a really pretty bird!
Hubby NOT a fan of the leg feathering on these 3, but they're growing on me. Now ask me in wet, wintery weather, though, & I might change my mind.

 

[JenniMcChick]

I’m guessing Orpington x Cochin. (Or Australorp x Cochin.) They do look like US quality Orpis, but those foot feathers are very long in most of them. A marans shouldn’t have shank feathers this long, nor should their legs be entirely blue.

Their feathers are more in line with my Brahma crosses, but since they have a single comb, I’d say it was Cochin.

My only other suggestion would be poor quality Croad Langshans.

Thank you!
I remember going down the Croad Langshans road when they first sprouted feathers. Can't remember why I thought I'd ruled that one out. Will research that again now that they're older & see what I can find out & compare that to these babies.
Again, thank you for your insight!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Thank you!
I remember going down the Croad Langshans road when they first sprouted feathers. Can't remember why I thought I'd ruled that one out. Will research that again now that they're older & see what I can find out & compare that to these babies.
Again, thank you for your insight!

Langshans have a distinct U-shape and are very uncommon. These are likely mixed breeds

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Thank you!
I remember going down the Croad Langshans road when they first sprouted feathers. Can't remember why I thought I'd ruled that one out. Will research that again now that they're older & see what I can find out & compare that to these babies.
Again, thank you for your insight!

They aren’t particularly common so I’d assume not. They aren’t generally bred by hatcheries so it would be weird to find bad quality ones.

More likely crosses.

Just to clarify, when I say bad quality, it’s just about arbitrary breed standard traits, not against their health etc.

 

[JenniMcChick]

They aren’t particularly common so I’d assume not. They aren’t generally bred by hatcheries so it would be weird to find bad quality ones.

More likely crosses.

Just to clarify, when I say bad quality, it’s just about arbitrary breed standard traits, not against their health etc.

No worries! I understood what you meant.

And I looked back at the "breeder's" website. It lists they have Bielefelders, Cream Legbar, Neiderrheiners (had never heard of these), BBS Orpingtons & various types of quail & now Midget white turkeys also at their Chick-Inn Ranch.
Plus the pic of the BBS Orpington rooster shows that split breast...so assuming I may have found the father?

Pullet pics show some that look like the 2 I have & am assuming are pullets, but eye color is different. All 3 of these babies have black eyes.

And no mention of any breeds with feathered legs & feet either.

But I got no response from "breeder" when I text him informing him of the feathers on their feet & inquiring as to what I could have instead of BBS Orps so taking the info on the website w/a grain of salt & like you & @FamerGirl101 assuming these are Cochin crosses. Most likely Orpington x Cochin, so expecting them to be big!

Again, thank you!