Everything about these two confuses me

CassieD

Songster
5 Years
Apr 12, 2020
35
58
104
Come February 2021 I will have gone through my first year with chickens. This site has taught me so much and I appreciate how engaged everyone is. I love having chickens! Thank you to those that were spot on in identifying Fowl Pox recently. I ordered and vaccinated the 4 with the help of my husband. So far no more outbreaks.
I have a small flock of 2 Silver laced Wyandottes and 2 that were sold to me as EE. It became obvious they are not. Besides not knowing what they are, they will be 10 months old next week and haven’t laid a single egg. They go into the nest boxes occasionally, but nada. And now, they have begun molting heading into winter. We’re in Southeast Texas so winters are brutal but it can get below freezing. The Wyandottes started dependently laying at 7 months. I put them all on Layena layer feed at 6 months as the Wyandotte’s were showing all the right maturity signs. I also added crushed oyster shells and they have always had access to fresh water.
The mystery chickens are blackish with iridescent green feathers. The larger one has brown feathers as well. So what are they and why are they molting at basically 10 months heading into winter and why no eggs? I am so confused. The closest I can tell is black Australorp crossbred?
 

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I think you have Barnevelders there, or at least crosses.
I couldn't tell you about the egg's. They may have a hidden nest, their combs look nice and perky. They also could be laying eggs that look like everyone elses.
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Those do look like Barnevelders or Barnevelder crosses.

I've had birds start laying at 18 weeks and birds not lay until about 50 weeks. Both our Barnevelders were like 28-30 weeks so surprised they're not laying but there's always variation. The eggs should be a darker brown than the Wyandottes but they aren't always. They should do fine in the Texas winter.
 
Seconding/thirding the barnevelder designation. I have a gal going on 28 weeks with red waddles/comb but no squatting or nest investigation yet. They like to keep us in suspense!
 
I agree the look like barnevelder. Mine aren't very productive, so I wouldn't expect too many eggs, especially during the off season.
 
Come February 2021 I will have gone through my first year with chickens. This site has taught me so much and I appreciate how engaged everyone is. I love having chickens! Thank you to those that were spot on in identifying Fowl Pox recently. I ordered and vaccinated the 4 with the help of my husband. So far no more outbreaks.
I have a small flock of 2 Silver laced Wyandottes and 2 that were sold to me as EE. It became obvious they are not. Besides not knowing what they are, they will be 10 months old next week and haven’t laid a single egg. They go into the nest boxes occasionally, but nada. And now, they have begun molting heading into winter. We’re in Southeast Texas so winters are brutal but it can get below freezing. The Wyandottes started dependently laying at 7 months. I put them all on Layena layer feed at 6 months as the Wyandotte’s were showing all the right maturity signs. I also added crushed oyster shells and they have always had access to fresh water.
The mystery chickens are blackish with iridescent green feathers. The larger one has brown feathers as well. So what are they and why are they molting at basically 10 months heading into winter and why no eggs? I am so confused. The closest I can tell is black Australorp crossbred?
I think you have Barnevelders there, or at least crosses.
I couldn't tell you about the egg's. They may have a hidden nest, their combs look nice and perky. They also could be laying eggs that look like everyone elses. View attachment 2401667View attachment 2401670
you have totally nailed it! The feather pattern is exactly that. Looking them up online it looks like Bunny (what I named her when I thought she was an EE) is a Black Barnevelder mix and Gemmy is a Double Laced Barnevelder. Thank you one mystery solved. They’re in a somewhat smallish run with no where to hide eggs. I’ve watched them very closely and know it’s my Wyandottes that are the layers. Getting eggs is such a joy that I watch the nest boxes pretty closely. And I know when to look based on their laying patterns. Thank you so much. Again this community comes through!
 

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