Last year we ordered 50+ chicks from Meyer Hatchery, 25 Brown Layer Assortment, 25 Rare Layer Assortment. All straight run, we didn't mind getting cockerels because they give us food as well. We ended up with ALL pullets. I had to sell 26 birds, I couldn't overwinter that many. We didn't get any Brahma in our order, bummer. So, this year when TSC Chick Days started I called twice weekly to find out what breeds they got in. After about a month and just before I was about to give up and order some, they said they had gotten some Cornish Cross, Speckled Sussex, Brahama (lol, no matter how many times I tried to correct her she kept saying it like Bahama) and some ducks. I ran right up to TSC and decided to pick up 12 chicks. The Brahma were straight run and were not labeled Buff or Dark. The hatchery they order from breed both, and the salesperson said he didn't know there were different colors, they were just Brahmas. So I told him to get me 6 of the darkest and liveliest chicks. I was hoping for Dark Brahmas but Buffs are fine too. On March 11th, I brought home 6 Brahma and 6 Speckled Sussex pullets.
I watched all 6 grow up, 4 feathered out very quickly and are a lighter girly color. Their combs are small and slightly pink considering they will be 16 weeks on July 1st. They just appear more feminine. The other 2 are the ones I am confused about. They feathered out very slowly, like they were practically bald at 6 weeks! They still had the heat light for 3 more weeks because they needed more feathers and it was unseasonably cold here. Their feathers are a darker color, their combs started to develop at 7 weeks and stalled at 8-9 weeks, no more pink than the girls can be, legs are same size as the ones I believe to be girls and there are no pointy feathers anywhere hidden in the fluff.
Contestant #1 ~Mr. Beefy or Ms. Beefy
Comb
Why do you keep bothering me?
Contestant # 2 ~ No Tail Yet
Comb
Some of the girls!
I love the hackle feathers on this end girl, so black. I hope they stay that way
Speckled Sussex Pullet ~ Shotgun (husband named her)
Shotgun's tons of white spots that look like shotgun spray
She's the smallest girl. Lightest color, fluffiest legs
I watched all 6 grow up, 4 feathered out very quickly and are a lighter girly color. Their combs are small and slightly pink considering they will be 16 weeks on July 1st. They just appear more feminine. The other 2 are the ones I am confused about. They feathered out very slowly, like they were practically bald at 6 weeks! They still had the heat light for 3 more weeks because they needed more feathers and it was unseasonably cold here. Their feathers are a darker color, their combs started to develop at 7 weeks and stalled at 8-9 weeks, no more pink than the girls can be, legs are same size as the ones I believe to be girls and there are no pointy feathers anywhere hidden in the fluff.
Contestant #1 ~Mr. Beefy or Ms. Beefy
Comb
Why do you keep bothering me?
Contestant # 2 ~ No Tail Yet
Comb
Some of the girls!
I love the hackle feathers on this end girl, so black. I hope they stay that way
Speckled Sussex Pullet ~ Shotgun (husband named her)
Shotgun's tons of white spots that look like shotgun spray
She's the smallest girl. Lightest color, fluffiest legs
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