BBS Orpington Color Questions

[AnneGirlGG]

Hey everyone! I've got 3 BBS Orpingtons, and I'm hoping to get some clarity on their colors. They are 5 weeks old, and I bought them from Meyer Hatchery. I don't care if they're pet/show/hatchery whatever quality. I am looking to breed them, but just for maintaining my own flock and giving them to friends.

EDIT- the upload got the pictures all out of order. I've added them again, labeled with each bird's name. The unlabled picture is the black chick that did not make it. So sorry for the confusion!

First up is Cash, my male. Is he splash? The first 3 pictures are of Cash.

Next up is Patsy, female. Blue? The 4th to 6th pictures are of Patsy.

Finally, we have Dolly. Also blue? She and Patsy look very much alike. Pictures 7 to 9 are of Dolly.

The last picture shows another BBS Orpington that I bought with them. Sadly, she died at 1 week old for reasons unclear. But I think she would have been black. I'm including her chick picture to compare the other birds' chick pictures to.

I'm hoping the experts here can help me. If I don't have all the components of the BBS genetics, I can't breed all the colors, obviously. I'm planning to add more next year, but I'd love to know what I have now, for sure. Thanks everyone!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I meant to include this picture of the 3 together.

 

[The Moonshiner]

You're saying the 2nd and 3rd pics are the same chick?

 

[AnneGirlGG]

You're saying the 2nd and 3rd pics are the same chick?

Wow no, so sorry. Those got all out of order from how I selected them. I'll fix it now!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Your 2 girls are blue. I can see how the male looks splash but I didn't see a pic of a splash chick. Blue can range in shade so until I see pics again I'm gonna say he's a blue, just a very light one.
If that's the case breeding blue to blue will give you blue, black and splash offspring.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

You're saying the 2nd and 3rd pics are the same chick?

I've added the images again, labeled with each bird's name in case they get all out of order again. Thanks for pointing that out, and I'm sorry for the confusion!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Your 2 girls are blue. I can see how the male looks splash but I didn't see a pic of a splash chick. Blue can range in shade so until I see pics again I'm gonna say he's a blue, just a very light one.
If that's the case breeding blue to blue will give you blue, black and splash offspring.

Thank you so much! I added his early chick picture labled with his name. I was not sure if he was just a lighter blue since I knew they could vary a lot. He looked very different than the girls as a chick though, so I wasn't sure. Thank you for your help!

 

[2ndTink]

I agree with @The Moonshiner 2 blue pullets and possibly a light blue cockerel. If you test breed and get black, blue, and splash chicks you will have confirmed he is blue, if you only get blue and splash chicks, then you will know he is a splash.

He almost looks lavender. If he is, then the chicks would hatch blue and black and be split to lavender.

Any chance you'll be test hatching?

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I agree with @The Moonshiner 2 blue pullets and possibly a light blue cockerel. If you test breed and get black, blue, and splash chicks you will have confirmed he is blue, if you only get blue and splash chicks, then you will know he is a splash.

He almost looks lavender. If he is, then the chicks would hatch blue and black and be split to lavender.

Any chance you'll be test hatching?

I honestly would have bet money he's lavender, except that I ordered specifically BBS from Meyer. I guess mix-ups can happen, though.

Lol yes, I am definitely going to be test hatching. I actually can't wait until this group is old enough for me to do that. I'm planning to get an incubator after holiday expenses are behind us, and as soon as my Orpingtons and my bantam cochins are ready, I'll be hatching!

 

[2ndTink]

I honestly would have bet money he's lavender, except that I ordered specifically BBS from Meyer. I guess mix-ups can happen, though.

Lol yes, I am definitely going to be test hatching. I actually can't wait until this group is old enough for me to do that. I'm planning to get an incubator after holiday expenses are behind us, and as soon as my Orpingtons and my bantam cochins are ready, I'll be hatching!

that will be exciting!