Black Ameraucana or Barred Rock?

[bcmama]

Our family is new to the chicken world but very excited to be new parents to 4 baby chicks, 2 Ameraucana and 2 Barred Rocks all supposed to be she's. We did pick them up at the feed store and the Ameraucana's and Barred Rocks were mixed together so this is my question. Is our Daisy a BR or Black Ameraucana (not that it would matter)? Also since I am asking can anyone tell if she is a she? She is just marked differently than our other BR, but then I wondered if she might be a he or different breed altogether. Thanks in advance.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

I'm guessing barred rock, but no clue yet on gender. Those cheeks aren't puffy, and she's getting some white feathers already.

 

[donrae]

That's neither one. Barred rocks have a white spot on top of the head, that is what shows they carry the barring gene. It's not an easter egger (what hatchery ameracaunas really are) cause of leg color, comb, lack of muffs or beard.

Okay, looking again,is there a faint, blurry head spot? It's really hard to tell on the pic. If so, I'd say it's a cockeral, but a pic of the top of the head would help.

 

[bcmama]

Here is the top of her head. Had to hold her/him because chickens do not hold still to get their picture taken :>)

 

[donrae]

Thanks. Based on how fuzzy and indistinct that spot is, plus the color of the legs, I'm thinking you have a barred rock cockeral. We have some good, dedicated barred rock folks here who will hopefully confirm.

 

[bcmama]

Thanks. Daisy does have black down the fronts of her legs but not on the toes and not on the backs. I know hatchery chicks can be difficult to distinguish and I appreciate you trying to help me with this.

 

[speckledhen]

Doesn't look like any pure BR I've ever raised. Strange chick, that one. Never had a BR with that much white.

I have had a BR cross with lots of white just like that, though.


I swear, that looks like an Australorp chick or a black Orp chick.

If the wings come in plain black with no barring, you will know that is not a BR. Certainly, not an Ameraucana-I have raised Ameraucanas and BRs for years.

ETA:
I bet Australorp. Here is Cackle's Australorp chick pic. Check out the feet, too:

 

[fuzziecreatures]

I'm gonna guess.... Jersey Giant. Those feet look a little yellow. I had 4 chicks that looked like those... 2 had yellow legs at that age... they are still yellow. That is the only way I can tell who was what... now it is size difference except for my JG pullet with a slight cross beak. She's the same size as the Austrolorps... though she could have yellow feet instead of pink because she's hatchery quality Austrolorp.

 

[hdowden]

if its a barred rock it will be a cockerel my first thought was a black aussie though

 

[BayGoose]

I thought it looked like a Black Australorp as well. The chicks can have a lot of white on them, especially on the front and face. I've raised barred rocks and currently have black australorps. It definitely favors australorp. You'll be able to tell for sure when you take a look at its flight (wing) feathers (looks like they are coming in now from the pics). Barred rocks will have barring of course. Not sure about the feathers on the legs though... only one way to find out and see what it grows into

Hatchery birds can be hard to distinguish, especially as chicks!