Are there such things as mutt hens?

[art teacher]

As a first timer with 8 hens, I was wondering if they all can be positively identified as a particular breed or can hens be mixed breed as well. We have an olive egger in our midst but unless I watch every egg being laid I don't know which hen it is. Our basket is wonderfully colored with blue-green, light tan, dark tan and terra cotta. Though I'm not sure who is laying what. As I read through some threads, I'm realizing I know NOTHING! We have two black, 3 tan, two orange and one whiteish hen. I'll post pics when I figure out how. They were all bought at the same time from Tractor Supply.

 

[ChocolateWingTheRooster]

I don’t know much about who is laying what, but there can be mixed-breed or, mutt, hens. I have a mixed-breed chicken... So yes, mutt hens/chickens are a thing!

 

[igorsMistress]

If you click on upload file under the text box you can browse your device for the photos you want to share. Then insert as a full image or thumbnails are smaller.

Hope that helps.

 

[aart]

I'll post pics when I figure out how. They were all bought at the same time from Tractor Supply.

Most birds from TSC should be pure breeds, tho not necessarily stellar examples.
Exceptions being Easter Eggers/Olive Eggers, which are crosses;
and high production hybrid crosses like red and black sexlinks(many with names like Cinnamon Queens and many others).

I see you've gotten lots of forum navigation guidance in your welcome thread...
..but Welcome to BYC! @art teacher

 

[chrissynemetz]

Oh yes, mixed breed chickens are very common, although if they came from TSC they should be pure breeds.
Once you figure out how to upload pictures, maybe post some of all your chickens and somebody here will most likely be able to tell you what exactly they are.
And welcome to BYC!!

 

[Beaglegal]

My buff Orpington has 3 potential fathers for her 11 chicks, a copper Maran, an EE, or the neighbors rooster whose breed is unknown (but not buff Orpington) So far the little mutts look mostly like her but we shall see as they get older.

 

[art teacher]

so are the blue green ones olive eggers or easter eggers? They started off more blue but seem to have gotten greener. Are olive eggers a breed typically sold at Tractor Supply?

 

[Beaglegal]

I love those colors, my EEs eggs are a much paler blue

 

[DiYMama540]

I got my 2 olive eggers from TSC, but they weren't labeled as such, I'm pretty sure I bought mine thinking they were "golden comet"

 

[ShannonR]

I think the green eggs are from Easter eggers.