California Greys???

[Bullitt]

I got chicks from Privett, not Stromberg. I see a subtle barring in my birds. I think Tommysgirl got her chicks after mine, so maybe they are less defined and appear cuckoo because they are still young. The rooster's feathers tend to be more of a defined pattern than the hens. I'll try and get some pics this week and post them when I have more time.

Oh, sorry. I got the hatcheries switched.

Maybe you should order Barred Leghorns from Privett and see if they are the same as the California Grays.

 

[Bullitt]

I have been searching and reading about the cuckoo pattern. As far as I can tell, cuckoo means barring.

Several sites I found state, the Cuckoo Marans have a black and white feather color pattern similar to the Barred Plymouth Rock.

 

[Michael Apple]

I have been searching and reading about the cuckoo pattern. As far as I can tell, cuckoo means barring.

Several sites I found state, the Cuckoo Marans have a black and white feather color pattern similar to the Barred Plymouth Rock.

To me the cuckoo is a less defined barred pattern, making it appear blurry.

Oh, sorry. I got the hatcheries switched.

Maybe you should order Barred Leghorns from Privett and see if they are the same as the California Grays.

I won't take that chance, lol. I will call them during the week to see if I can get a straight answer.

 

[Bullitt]

To me the cuckoo is a less defined barred pattern, making it appear blurry.
I won't take that chance, lol. I will call them during the week to see if I can get a straight answer.

Let us know what Privett says.

I see. Stromberg's has this picture. The rooster is much lighter in color than the hen.

 

[Michael Apple]

Let us know what Privett says.

I see. Stromberg's has this picture. The rooster is might lighter in color than the hen.

I certainly will. You'd think they'd put a better example on their site. Hens are darker, but mine all have nice fan tails like the Leghorns do. Ears are whiter too. The one pictured above looks like the poor girl has kinky back.

 

[Bullitt]

It is surprising to me that hatcheries do not put good pictures on their websites.

The only hatchery I can think of that has nice pictures with each breed page is Cackle Hatchery.

 

[tommysgirl]

I have been searching and reading about the cuckoo pattern. As far as I can tell, cuckoo means barring.

Several sites I found state, the Cuckoo Marans have a black and white feather color pattern similar to the Barred Plymouth Rock.

Cuckoo according to my research is very similar to barring but barring is supposed to look uniform like parallel lines. Cuckoo is more higgeldy piglgeldy

Here are pics of a Cuckoo Marans and a barred rock to help you see it more clearly.

In the Marans the black and white are not stripes as much as they are dots and short stripes


Barred Rock:


But in the Barred Rock the black bars and the white bars are more clear and obvious. The pattern lines up feather to feather. It's subtle but if you know what to look for you can see it.

 

[Bullitt]

Cuckoo according to my research is very similar to barring but barring is supposed to look uniform like parallel lines. Cuckoo is more higgeldy piglgeldy

Here are pics of a Cuckoo Marans and a barred rock to help you see it more clearly.

In the Marans the black and white are not stripes as much as they are dots and short stripes


Barred Rock:


But in the Barred Rock the black bars and the white bars are more clear and obvious. The pattern lines up feather to feather. It's subtle but if you know what to look for you can see it.

Thank you. Yes, it is easier to see when a cuckoo hen and a barred hen are side-by-side.

I need to learn these technical terms, such as "higgeldy piglgeldy".

With the California Gray, the only difference may be the California Gray has a cuckoo pattern and the Barred Leghorn has a barred pattern. I hope we all figure it out soon.

Thanks again.

 

[Michael Apple]

It is surprising to me that hatcheries do not put good pictures on their websites.

The only hatchery I can think of that has nice pictures with each breed page is Cackle Hatchery.

I've never bought from Cackle, but know one of the local feed stores buys chicks from them. No disrespect to Privett on that last post of mine. All the birds I got from them were healthy.

 

[Michael Apple]

The response from Privett was received.

Here was my question:
"Greetings,
I noticed you have California Grays and Barred Leghorns listed on your catalog online. The picture demonstrations for each breed are identical to each other. Genetically, what is the difference between the two? I know Dryden's line of California Grays are supposed to breed true, while originally having Barred plymouth Rock rooster x White Leghorn hen in the breeding program."

Here was the reply from someone who only identified herself as Kelli:
"Michael,

Sorry it took so long but I was waiting for the hatchery manager to get back to me. His answer:

To produce the barred leghorn he used the barred gene from Dryden on the white leghorn. They are very similar so we just used the same picture for the California grays and barred leghorn. They do breed true.

Kelli"

Now that seems strange to me. Barred gene from Dryden....
On the White Leghorn.....

That doesn't tell me anything. Anyone else?