Can you identify the breeds?

[SunnySky]

I have this cockerel I purchased over the winter from a breeder who purchased it from another breeder. I think he's quite unique. He's small compared to my other breeds; the same size as my silkie cockerel. He is black with cream (not white) barring and has iridescent red, copper, and green feathers mixed in. He has long hackle and saddle feathers and a disproportionately large comb and waddle for his body size. And he's rumpless. Any thoughts as to what's hiding in there?

 

[Michael OShay]

It is a Barred/Cuckoo Araucana rooster.

 

[SunnySky]

It is a Barred/Cuckoo Araucana rooster.

That is awesome! Does he hold any value do you know? I just don't see many Araucanas around so I don't know if he's considered rare or not. It seems odd that the breeder would just toss him in as a freebie when I purchased some Orpingtons from her. I'm definitely keeping him! Thanks for your reply!!

 

[K Spot]

Not an Araucana - this bird has a straight comb, Ara's have pea combs. And cuckoo isn't a recognised colour. He's also missing the cheek tufts, though I realise some Araucana's are born clean faced.

I'd say he's just a rumpless barnyard mix.

 

[SunnySky]

Not an Araucana - this bird has a straight comb, Ara's have pea combs. And cuckoo isn't a recognised colour. He's also missing the cheek tufts, though I realise some Araucana's are born clean faced.

I'd say he's just a rumpless barnyard mix.

I was just googling Araucanas and noticed his missing tufts and the comb so I was thinking he wasn't one after all. I'll hang on to him and see what he throws when crossed with some of my hens.

 

[Michael OShay]

That is awesome! Does he hold any value do you know? I just don't see many Araucanas around so I don't know if he's considered rare or not. It seems odd that the breeder would just toss him in as a freebie when I purchased some Orpingtons from her. I'm definitely keeping him! Thanks for your reply!!

Probably not. Although Barred or Cuckoo Araucans appear from time to time, and some breeders apparently are attempting to standardize them, they do not breed true consistently enough that any of the poultry governing bodies, including the APA, ABA, PCGB, or the Australian Poultry Standard has admitted the Barred or Cuckoo Araucana. Your best bet to get some use from him is probably using him to breed Easter Eggers.

 

[Michael OShay]

Not an Araucana - this bird has a straight comb, Ara's have pea combs. And cuckoo isn't a recognised colour. He's also missing the cheek tufts, though I realise some Araucana's are born clean faced.

I'd say he's just a rumpless barnyard mix.

You're right. I don't know how I missed that. Too much time looking at the tailess rump I guess. LOL!

 

[SunnySky]

You're right. I don't know how I missed that. Too much time looking at the tailess rump I guess. LOL!

LOL I was hung up on the rumpless too! The more I read the more I learn that it could be genetics or something such as a problem with incubation. I guess I'll have to breed him to my girls to find out.

 

[Michael OShay]

LOL I was hung up on the rumpless too! The more I read the more I learn that it could be genetics or something such as a problem with incubation. I guess I'll have to breed him to my girls to find out.

I think it has Araucana blood in it (it explains the rumpless tail), but it is a mixed breed with some kind of barred or cuckoo breed in it (and possibly some other breeds as well). It could have even been someone's failed attempt to breed a Cuckoo Araucana. I guess we'll never know.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

It appears to have a little bit of a crest and rumpless... I'm stumped, must be a mix.