choosing Black Australorp chicks for darkest color

[cobrien]

Hello,
I will getting my first BA chicks in a few weeks. I've noticed from photos of hens that some are darker black/green while others are more of a pale black. Is there any way to tell from the color of a chick if she is more likely to turn out dark black?

Thanks!
Colleen

 

[william9792]

a pure BA will look black/green and have black/ white legs, if it has white spots above the eyeswhen it is a chick it will be a roo and white tips on its wings. if it is all black when it is a chick it will be a hen . or at least this is the way mine do. william

 

[grandmaof5]

Oh dear! I guess that means our 2-week old chicks are cockerels and will have to go...sigh

 

[mcjessen]

Don't count your Austalorps before they feather out. LOL!

My pullet had white wing tips and lost them before she started laying. The same bird also had a single white spot at the back (corner) of each eye (not above it) as well.

Edited to add: She is now a beautiful full black with green overlay and black legs.

 

[grandmaof5]

here are what I hoped were 2 pullets, at one week...they are now 2 weeks old.

 

[mcjessen]

It's still to early to tell. Give it a couple more weeks and re-post pictures. Folks here will be able to help determine if you've got girls or boys.