Bantam identification?

[renk777]

Next up...our definite roo. He's huge. So is his comb. He has a very laid back personality. Trying so hard not to get attached. My daughter renamed him Griffin so going forward, that's what I'll refer to him as. Last pic is of him with Hazel for size comparison.

 

[renk777]

Hazel remains our slowest to feather. Wattles are pretty noticeable at 4 weeks. 2 feathers that just sprouted on one wing give me a little hope that this might still be a pullet but I'm not holding my breath. Griffin is more feathered and I don't see any on him like that but that doesnt prove anything. Hazel's markings have always been more defined. I've never seen a SP in person but in photos, it appears males are more contrasty with their black/white and females have the more refined penciling...though it appears that chicks' first plumage in both sexes are similar so those feathers probably don't mean anything. . Despite the signs that she is a he, I'm still hoping for pullet and holding off on changing the name. Feathers are still all crazy but I don't think s/he's frizzle. Frizzles seem to have feathers that sort or swoosh up at the ends. These are just randomly bent here and there...

 

[renk777]

Harper is next. Our only solid black chick as it turns out. Love this bird...she's mellow and sweet and a pullet. What more can I ask for?

 

[renk777]

Milla...I had hoped she might be birchen early on but really had nothing to support the idea other than the fact that she was lighter than Harper but darker than Marley. As more and more black feathers came in, I just considered her black. Was pretty surprised when I noticed the birchen markings earlier this week. Still worried this might be a roo due to feel, slower feathering, stance and shape of comb but crossing my fingers it's a pullet. New to cochins and bantams so this is a learning curve for me!

 

[renk777]

And then there's Marley with the rogue white-tipped feathers that keep me hoping 'she' is mottled. Even though her down was too dark overall for a typical mottled chick, she had a lighter band of gray around the back of her head that reminded me of the light down pattern on mottled chicks. I had thought that if I was wrong, she'd be my birchen but now Milla's feathering indicates this is not the case. I've been considering the idea that Marley is split to mottled but not sure that makes sense from a hatchery.. .while their quality is less, I doubt they would throw a black bird in with the mottled. Though i suppose other splits with evident mottling might be in the mix. Regardless, I don't believe Marley is black or birchen so going with mottled. As for roo or pullet? Still hoping for pullet due to small comb though feathering is in the middle of the other chicks and sometimes, acts/stands rooish. The waiting game is so hard!

 

[renk777]

Last but not least...Willa (formerly, Willow. Daughter that likes to change names is at it again). Doesn't matter as we all call Willa 'Super Peep'. Super Peep is beyond sweet. Still won't stand for a photo but I see her move around the brooder just fine. Absolutely adore this sweet girl.

 

[renk777]

To make things easier, here's a shot of each from today @Overo Mare

 

[renk777]

If I based my hunch strictly on feathering/combs/wattles collectively, the RIR is a pullet, the 2 SP cochins are both roos, the black cochin is a pullet, the birchen is most likely a roo, the mottled is most likely a pullet, and the barred is a pullet.

 

[Painted Calls]

If I based my hunch strictly on feathering/combs/wattles collectively, the RIR is a pullet, the 2 SP cochins are both roos, the black cochin is a pullet, the birchen is most likely a roo, the mottled is most likely a pullet, and the barred is a pullet.

You've already come to the same conclusion on gender that I did. Good job!

That first SP is too precious with his big boy colors.

 

[renk777]

You've already come to the same conclusion on gender that I did. Good job!

That first SP is too precious with his big boy colors.

I do hope we're wrong on the Birchen but I doubt that's the case. Regardless, glad to see an expert chicken tender confirm my novice suspicions. And yes, that SP is adorable. If my daughter would accept it, I'd name him Elvis since his comb sort of twists and flops toward the one side. But she insists on Griffin and it does sort of suit him. Wondering if I'll be able to adopt the boys out...typically, we adopt out or dispatch our LF roos but I can't imagine dispatching a bantam. Way too cute! Do you find it's easier to adopt out bantam roos compared to LF? Assuming you adopt them out at all. If you have the acreage, you might be so blessed as to just keep them all!