Help me with my mystery hatchlings!

[KelseyCochin]

I hatched these from eggs I received from another chicken enthusiast. I have so guesses about their origins, and I’m pretty certain they’re all mixed breed, but I would appreciate any info. All have feathered feet. I know some were supposedly Langshans, some were Orpington crosses, Brahmas, and Cochins and any crosses thereof. I don’t have pics of the other two right now, but one is solid black (I suspect Langshan). To me, the blue-grey looks a lot like a blue Cochin except for the tail.

 

[junebuggena]

Comb and skin color are going to be the best way to figure what crosses they are. Brahmas have a pea comb, which is dominant. Langshans and Orpingtons have white skin, which is dominant.

 

[KelseyCochin]

Thank you! All are pea comb, so far as I can tell. Not sure about skin color, but I’ll check in the morning!

 

[kesrchicky16]

Mixes are hard. I had backyard mix cockerels and "pure bred" hens. I can guess most of the egg donors but only time will tell what they actually look like. Comb and other dominant traits will be your only chance.

 

[KelseyCochin]

Mixes are hard. I had backyard mix cockerels and "pure bred" hens. I can guess most of the egg donors but only time will tell what they actually look like. Comb and other dominant traits will be your only chance.

Mixes are hard. I had backyard mix cockerels and "pure bred" hens. I can guess most of the egg donors but only time will tell what they actually look like. Comb and other dominant traits will be your only chance.

Thank you! I have tried finding a good book on chicken genetics (I have a biology degree and I’m really interested in selective breeding) but so far I’ve been unsuccessful.

 

[junebuggena]

If they all have pea combs than it's a pretty safe bet that they have Brahma in them.

 

[KelseyCochin]

Ok. Don’t Orpingtons, Cochins, and Langshans all have pea combs? Or can it vary?

 

[junebuggena]

Ok. Don’t Orpingtons, Cochins, and Langshans all have pea combs? Or can it vary?

Orpingtons, Cochins, and Langshans all have single combs.

 

[kesrchicky16]

Pea combs are dominant. Standard is fully recessive. @Lady of McCamley gave me an excellent tutorial on comb genetics. Let me get a link.

 

[KelseyCochin]

Oh...I’m so dumb I’ve confused comb types. They all have single combs! Sorry for the confusion. But it’s good to know that about Brahmas. I was hoping to get some Brahma blood since they seem like a wonderful breed.