Australorp? I Don't Think So!

[Adolph Otto]

Well, the black Australorp pullet I got in November lays small white eggs, has white earlobes (with a tinge of green), yellow soles, and is still maybe 3/4 of the size of my 2 English Orps. Any ideas as to what she really is?

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

Maybe a Minorca?
How heavy is she?

 

[JedJackson]

It amounts to the same thing whether she's a Minorca, Andalusian or Leghorn. Plenty of white eggs, but more flighty in temperament. I'm assuming it is a hatchery bird, so you will probably never know for sure which she is, since hatchery birds often don't completely match standards. For instance, a Minorca comb should have a little roll in front, with the comb folding one way and then flopping over the other side. This bird doesn't have that, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's not a hatchery Minorca. Black Leghorns should have yellow or dusky yellow legs, and this bird has black legs, but that's not definitive proof when it comes to hatchery birds. So really who knows for sure? Just enjoy her for herself.

 

[Tookie]

She's a Minorca.

 

[Tookie]

Thanks for the fast replies. Is there anything radically different in the care of Minorcas from that of the Orps?

No, not much of anything different care wise.

 

[Painted Calls]

Black Leghorns are pretty rare or at least most hatcheries don’t carry them so she’s more likely to be an Andalusian or Minorca. Not that Leghorn is impossible but just doesn’t seem as likely.

Agreed. I can't think of any that offer them. Not to mention legs are way too dark.

 

[JedJackson]

Could be a black Andalusian as well. Very similar to a Minorca but smaller in size.

 

[Purelychicks]

Thank you everyone. I've got some research to do!

Could be: Black andalusian (although I doubt it), Black Minorca, or black leghorn, I know a lot of people are suggesting Minorca, but I breed leghorns and I'm pretty sure she is a black leghorn. Example of black leghorns:

 

[ShrekDawg]

Black Leghorns are pretty rare or at least most hatcheries don’t carry them so she’s more likely to be an Andalusian or Minorca. Not that Leghorn is impossible but just doesn’t seem as likely.

 

[Adolph Otto]

Maybe a Minorca?
How heavy is she?

I'd say less than 3 lbs, but I'm not sure.