Bantam Hens?

[aftertwilight102]

I was given these two "girls" a few days ago when the person who had them could no longer care for them. I haven't owned chickens in years and even then we only ever had mature chickens, so I have no idea how tell the difference in pullets and cockerels. I am also not sure on the colors if you could help on that....

I was told they were both hens, but the darker colored one obviously has a bright red comb and wattles that are much larger then the lighter colored chicken's. I thought maybe the darker one is just a lot older and more developed? But I don't remember so much any of our bantam hens in the past having a comb that was so large. The dark one's tail feathers apparently got burnt off from him/her sitting too close to a heat lamp. Poor dear.

Far as color they are both supposed to be blues. The lighter one is supposed to be a blue splashed? She definitely has darker spots all over her.

I really hope they are both hens so that they can both stay, but I am afraid I ended up with a mated pair.

 

[hinkjc]

It looks like you have a mature hen and a young pullet. I would agree the colors are blue and splash. I don't see anythink on the dark one indicating rooster to me. Hens can get very bright red combs, especially if they're producing or close to producing eggs. Have you gotten any eggs from them? I don't think the light one is old enough to lay yet due to how pale her comb is.

 

[theoldchick]

Lucky you! Two hens! Soon you'll have eggs that can't compare to store-bought. Some folks poo-poo bantam eggs but I think they are great! I call them diet eggs: smaller eggs=less calories. And WELCOME TO BYC.

 

[farmerChef]

It almost looks like the dark one has saddle feathers in the first pic but it looks like a hen. If it is a hen, it looks like you might be getting eggs soon. The lighter one does look young.