Araucana hen or rooster?

[marsy]

Hi, here are my chickens, Courtney is the white one, around 7 weeks old and Beyoncé is the black one, around 5 weeks old. Also wondering if it's possible to tell if they are pure bread?

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[BantamLover21]

I'm going with both pullets for now, but some comb photos would help be sure. And they are not purebred Araucanas, or even Ameraucanas--it looks like you have some pretty Easter Eggers. Araucanas would have blueish/green legs, no tail, a pea comb,and well-defined ear tufts, which neither of your chicks have. Ameraucanas also have blueish legs and a pea comb, but they have a tail and muffs/beard instead of tufts. Neither breed has a crest, which is looks like Courtney has. Beyoncé has the right leg color, and is recognized color pattern/variety for both breeds(black), but she lacks a muff/beard, and may not have the correct comb (I can't tell).

 

[marsy]

Wow thanks! Here is a closer photo of Beyoncé, will have to post another one of Courtney soon.

 

[marsy]

 

[ramirezframing]

Would have to let them finish feathering out, as they could be pure European araucanas. Your araucanas are crested and have tails where as the USA araucanas have no crest and no tails.

 

[Tricoglossus]

I'm going with both pullets for now, but some comb photos would help be sure. And they are not purebred Araucanas, or even Ameraucanas--it looks like you have some pretty Easter Eggers. Araucanas would have blueish/green legs, no tail, a pea comb,and well-defined ear tufts, which neither of your chicks have. Ameraucanas also have blueish legs and a pea comb, but they have a tail and muffs/beard instead of tufts. Neither breed has a crest, which is looks like Courtney has. Beyoncé has the right leg color, and is recognized color pattern/variety for both breeds(black), but she lacks a muff/beard, and may not have the correct comb (I can't tell).

The OP is in Australia. Our Araucanas do not look like what you have in the States.

Marsy, where in Australia are you? Where did you purchase your birds? There are some breeders around, however they usually make a big deal out of having pure Araucanas so you should know if you got yours from one of the breeders. Check out this breeder's page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LilysCreekAraucanas?ref=ts&fref=ts for some photos of stunning Australian Araucanas. They breed some non-standard colours as well.

 

[marsy]

Thanks heaps I will check it out! I'm in the northern rivers of NSW and got the babies locally. Don't suppose you have any experience with or know much about wry neck? Poor Courtney got in when first got her and I gave her some vitamins and electrolytes and she recovered but now she has it again.

 

[Tricoglossus]

"Wry neck" or "star gazing" is a clinical sign, not a disease in itself. It may be due to a vitamin deficiency but there are other causes. There should be lots of information on BYC, do a search and see what articles come up. I also found this article online http://oureggbasket.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html.
I do not have any experience with the disease, if it happened in one of my birds I would take them straight to the vet!