Are These Old English Game? Are they hens or roosters or one of each?

[VintageLilFarm]

I am trying to find out both breed AND gender on these birds before I decide whether to keep them.



I am referring to them as Bird 1 (longer tail feathers, no spurs) and bird 2 (shorter tail feathers, small spurs). They are small birds. When I got them, it was dark outside and the gentleman did not know what breeds were what. I thought maybe they were bantam EE but once I saw them in the light of day I could see they are clearly NOT.

I have been told they could be Old English Game birds, Phoenix, or some kind of Jungle Fowl. In perusing this website, I saw some that look quite alot like these in the Phoenix breed info page. However, Bird 2 doesn't have long tail feathers at all, but does have spurs? If they have spurs, are they always roos? If he is a roo, could it take longer than a year to have longer tail than this? They are about a year old.

Can you tell anything by their combs?



Bird 2 Phoenix Rooster?




Bird 1 Phoenix Hen?









Bird 1, longer tail, no spurs




Bird 1 has longer tail feathers and no spurs. There is a flat dot on the back of one leg that looks like it *could* sprout a spur, but both birds are the same age so not sure why one would sprout spurs and one not?



Bird 2 has shorter tail feathers and has small spurs

 

[arkansas4-Hmom]

Both look like game fowl hens to me. hens can have spurs too. Several of my older hens have them.

 

[ramirezframing]

both are hens

 

[willowbranchfarm]

both are hens

x2

 

[donrae]

Both game hens. Roosters will never ever be that drab, plain overall brown color.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Both game hens. Roosters will never ever be that drab, plain overall brown color.

x2


If there are no roosters present, sometimes hens will grow spurs or crow.

 

[VintageLilFarm]

LOL, there hasn't been any crowing yet. There are three roosters around here, but I keep these separate since they fly. They can hear the crowing though, and are only separated by a chain link fence in the daytime. I have only had them for 19 days and where they were before there were lots of roosters too. It's a mystery to me... I am hoping to find homes for them as I can't justify spending the $$$ for non egg layers since that's why I have chickens.

 

[ramirezframing]

my neighbor has games and says that they lay well and make great mamas

 

[donrae]

Game hens often grow spurs. They're a more primative type and more prone to self defense. If you're interested in brooding chicks, I'd keep those ladies. They're known for being great foragers and mommas. They're decent enough layers, too, just not on a level with the production hatchery birds.

 

[t8562005]

Both game hens. Roosters will never ever be that drab, plain overall brown color.

Not completely true, American game fowl hennie