difference between dominique and black maran chicks

[ARPdrummer]

Is there an easy way to tell the difference between a dominique chick and a black maran chick? I'm fairly certain the 5 black chicks I have are a mix of these two, but uncertain how to tell them apart at this age (they're a little over a week old). I know they'll be easy to tell apart once all their feathers are in, buuuut would love to tell them apart now if possible
In these stock photos it seems like the only difference is the slightly more yellow next to the eye on the black maran. But seems like that can differ depending on the chick

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Marans have a single comb and pink white legs, Dominique have a rose comb and I believe yellow legs.

 

[junebuggena]

That pic shows a Cuckoo Marans, not a Black Marans. And any hatchery that can't tell the difference is one I would not buy from. Black Marans chicks do not have a white spot on the back of the head. Marans have single combs, Dominiques have rose combs. Marans have white skin, Barred Rocks and Dominiques have yellow skin.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with junebuggena

 

[ARPdrummer]

That pic shows a Cuckoo Marans, not a Black Marans. And any hatchery that can't tell the difference is one I would not buy from. Black Marans chicks do not have a white spot on the back of the head. Marans have single combs, Dominiques have rose combs. Marans have white skin, Barred Rocks and Dominiques have yellow skin.

All the hatcheries I've seen, that carry black Maran, the chicks do have yellow on the back of their head. Now the black copper Marans don't , but I wouldn't have the copper Marans

 

[ARPdrummer]

Marans have a single comb and pink white legs, Dominique have a rose comb and I believe yellow legs.

Did not notice the comb difference, that makes it easy, thank you!

 

[ARPdrummer]

So, with the comb info, it looks like they are all Dominique. I was really hoping it was a mix , but oh well. Guess I didn't get a lot of variety in my rare breeds hatchery choice, got 2. The other breed I only got 2 of and only one survived But looks like I should have 5 healthy Dominique pullets.

 

[junebuggena]

All the hatcheries I've seen, that carry black Maran, the chicks do have yellow on the back of their head. Now the black copper Marans don't , but I wouldn't have the copper Marans

The spot on the back of the head indicates the presence of the barring/cuckoo gene. Blacks are not cuckoo, therefore should never have the spot on the back of the head.

 

[ARPdrummer]

The spot on the back of the head indicates the presence of the barring/cuckoo gene. Blacks are not cuckoo, therefore should never have the spot on the back of the head.

I'll have to look into it more, but so far, from what I've found, the blacks do have the spot on the head. They are, however, very rare even in France. So most hatcheries don't even have them. It's very hard to even Google info about them because everything is about the black coppers.

http://www.maransofamericaclub.com/black-marans.html

 

[PachecoPeeps]

So, with the comb info, it looks like they are all Dominique. I was really hoping it was a mix , but oh well. Guess I didn't get a lot of variety in my rare breeds hatchery choice, got 2. The other breed I only got 2 of and only one survived But looks like I should have 5 healthy Dominique pullets.

We order the hatchery choice too thinking we would get a variety and we got only Cuckoo Marans. I was more then a little disappointed to get all the same and no variety.