Are these 12 week old birdies ladies?

[Lauren_]

I purchased two chicks from Meyer’s day-old straight run bin towards the end of March of this year. The original plan was to only keep them for a couple weeks and then give them to farmer friend. Plans change and I fell in love!

I’m a developmental biologist, so I have limited knowledge about chickens once they hatch. Can you guys give me your best guesses on what breeds they are? I feel they are hens, but would like to confirm.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

they're both pullets.
Beaker is a NH Red
Bunsen is a RI Red.

The lighter one could be a sex link but the darker could be Buckeye but I can't remember if Buckeyes have straight combs?

Buckeyes have pea combs.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

What would be the difference if Bunsen was a Buckeye vs RIR?

Not much... I mean, they both lay brown eggs, about the same size. Just RIR have single combs and Buckeyes have pea. They're the first chicken breed created in the US by a woman.

 

[danceswithronin]

Yes they look like hens, love the names.

 

[nuthatched]

The lighter one could be a sex link but the darker could be Buckeye but I can't remember if Buckeyes have straight combs?

 

[nuthatched]

they're both pullets.
Beaker is a NH Red
Bunsen is a RI Red.


Buckeyes have pea combs.

Thanks, "red/brown chickens" get lumped into one section in my brain.

 

[Lauren_]

Thank you so much to everyone! A great help!

 

[Lauren_]

they're both pullets.
Beaker is a NH Red
Bunsen is a RI Red.


Buckeyes have pea combs.

What would be the difference if Bunsen was a Buckeye vs RIR?

 

[Danielpn]

I think you better plan to add 10 - 12 eggs a week to the menu in another 12 weeks.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Not much... I mean, they both lay brown eggs, about the same size. Just RIR have single combs and Buckeyes have pea. They're the first chicken breed created in the US by a woman.

Another interesting thing about Buckeyes is that they're bred to have slate fluff on their under feathers versus RIRs who have red down to the skin. I can't find a pic right now, but I had a book or magazine a few years ago that showed that and I thought it was neat