differences between LF Ameraucanas and Orpingtons (chicks)

[ChickFila]

I know it is a very dumb question... but I have no clue.
I hatched bunch of LF ameraucanas and orpingtons a few days ago, I hatched them in different bators and when I moved them to brooder, I put colored leg bands on black & blue ameraucanas legs (to differentiate from lavender split ameraucanas) & blue orpingtons legs (to differentiate from lavender orps), and this morning, I found all those bands on the brooder floor and only a few still had band on legs

Is there any easy way to distinguish between two breed? Also how to tell blue color and lavender color on orpingtons?
These are my problems :
1) lavender orpingtons - lavender ameraucanas - blue orpingtons - blue ameraucanas (really cannot tell the difference in colors and breeds)
2) lavender split ameraucanas - black ameraucanas

I think I am doomed

 

[LeBlackbird]

The ameraucanas Have poofy beards!!

 

[tgrlily]

Not a dumb question! I had legbands come off of chicks recently too, but I figured it out.

They'll stay on better in a week or so.

Ameraucanas have a pea comb. Orpingtons have a straight comb. If you can't tell the difference right now, you'll be able to soon. The pea comb will get wider & has 3 rows of bumps. The straight comb is narrower & taller. Once you have the Ameraucanas & Orps separated, I'd recommend separate brooders!

Do you have blue, black, splash, lavender & split? Yikes!
Splits seem to have a little more silvery hue to the down than pure blacks in my opinion. Blues are darker than lavs. Lavs are darker than splash. That's just from my personal & somewhat limited experience. I hope someone with more experience has more advice.

Good Luck!! Pretty sure you're not doomed!

 

[ChickFila]

Thank you for your replies!
When I woke up in the morning, I was in panic!
Ok, so I will wait until I see their comb better, Then I will separate the colors.
For orpingtons, I don't have black, I just have lavender split, so no worry there.
For Ameraucanas, I have both blacks and lavender splits, but I planned to raise them together, so it will be ok too.
Separating blue and lavender will be hard though...

 

[jossanne]

Quote:
Ummmm Isn't lavender split... black? Never had it, but I'm thinking that's what I've read.

For separating blue and lavender, look at the feather quills. Blues will have dark quills, and lavs will have light. Experts, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[SteveH]

I read somewhere that quill color is not 100% reliable . When the blue's feathers come in they should show a darker blue to nearly black lacing on each feather ; lavenders are one even hue [ no dark border ] . I've already heard of a splash showing up in a supposed lavender breeding ; keeping these two colors seperate may become a headache for those wanting to breed them and buying birds to get started .