- Apr 13, 2011
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Knowing I was going to be homebound for weeks, I decided to just run to Tractor Supply to buy some chicks, rather than wait for mail order. They are now 4-5 weeks old.
Back story: I have been trying for 9 years to get a blue or green egg layer for my small backyard flock, and failed every time, for various reasons.
TSC had EEs (labeled as “Americanas”) but they were straight run...Against my better judgement, I bought 2 and also picked up 3 interesting bantams (also straight run.
)
As far as the EEs go, they were different from each other from the start. One feathered out much quicker, one has a larger comb, one has spur buds and one is larger. But not everything jives with what I’ve read online.
The first three photos are the one that feathered out really quickly. It has a smaller comb, but it is larger in size and is pretty feisty. No spur buds visible to me.
I’m thinking this next one is a cockerel? Bigger comb (3 ridges) feathered in more slowly, yet is smaller than the previous.
i just hope I have ONE hen, at least, or I’m giving up on colored eggs forever!
Back story: I have been trying for 9 years to get a blue or green egg layer for my small backyard flock, and failed every time, for various reasons.
TSC had EEs (labeled as “Americanas”) but they were straight run...Against my better judgement, I bought 2 and also picked up 3 interesting bantams (also straight run.

As far as the EEs go, they were different from each other from the start. One feathered out much quicker, one has a larger comb, one has spur buds and one is larger. But not everything jives with what I’ve read online.
The first three photos are the one that feathered out really quickly. It has a smaller comb, but it is larger in size and is pretty feisty. No spur buds visible to me.
I’m thinking this next one is a cockerel? Bigger comb (3 ridges) feathered in more slowly, yet is smaller than the previous.
i just hope I have ONE hen, at least, or I’m giving up on colored eggs forever!
