Ruby was given to me by a neighbor who had been keeping her for five months in a plastic bucket in her basement. We're gradually introducing her to our flock of three, although this cold weather has made it difficult. Can you help us figure out what kind of bird she is?. As a chick she was yellow with a bit of brown. Now she is brown with an under-layer of white. She's very friendly with people. As you can see she is living in our spare bathroom when she isn't being introduced to the big girls. She is the same size as the bantam hen but her head is larger and her features less sharp. Maybe just because she is less than six months old? No comb or wattles to speak of. Thanks for any assistance!
Thank you. I saw the Red Stars in the Murray Mac catalog and thought of that but she is very small. The former owner says they have had her since August 2013. I appreciate your feedback!
She looks like she could be a red sexed link hen. This is from Wiki: Red sex-links are a cross between a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster and a White Rock (This variety pair is known as a Golden Comet), Silver Laced Wyandotte, Rhode Island White or Delaware hen. I have a few different color variation Red Sex Links so I imagine that it is because they are from the different hens. Notice in the top picture there are lighter colored red birds that are sex linked as well as the bottom picture is a really light color. I have a few of the darker colored birds like the one you are showing, but I don't have pictures of them on the computer. Beekissed--I was typing my post and saw yours pop up! Glad to have a second opinion, as I am always leary of giving assumptions on breed. They are great layers and the one in my avatar is my most friendly bird!
x2 She does look immature, and may be smaller than expected. That may be due to her environment--a basement may not have had adequate light to allow her to reach maturity this early.
That makes a lot of sense. They were feeding her oatmeal flakes and then layer kibble. I am giving her the scraps from our fresh veggies, and grower mix. She may be a bit of a "preemie". I'm hopeful she will be out with the big girls in a healthier environment in a week or so. If it ever warms up here...Thanks!
