HELP new to chicken world WHAT ARE THESE????

[The Momma]

I met a chicken farmer who gave me 9 eggs. I hatched 8 and have been in love with chickens since then. Never done this before so I am clueless but chickens are forgiving and we are thriving. THey are now 7 weeks old and come and go out of their coop and into their personal chicken yard complete with compost pile that they are slowly figuring out.

6 eggs were the darkest brown I have ever seen. The chicks were all chipmunk coloring. Now 3 of them are about same size and coloring with black and brown feathers that is Momma, Fran and Beatrice. THey have larger tail feathers. The other 3 are lighter and one appears to be a rooster (Goldie) but I need help with them. THey are smaller and tail feathers are smaller too. They are more brown and gold. I thought they might be Welsummers, then maybe Golden Salmon Marans and now I am not sure. They maybe crossbreeds.

2 hatched from light brown eggs and are black. Tia is solid black including her legs and beak. Napoleon was black with a white dot on his head as a chick and now he is smaller, authoritative and gray with beautiful markings. Black Sex Links? Black Marans?

I dont have a clue to what type any of them are or if they are boys or girls. HELP

 

[BantamLover21]

I met a chicken farmer who gave me 9 eggs. I hatched 8 and have been in love with chickens since then. Never done this before so I am clueless but chickens are forgiving and we are thriving. THey are now 7 weeks old and come and go out of their coop and into their personal chicken yard complete with compost pile that they are slowly figuring out.

6 eggs were the darkest brown I have ever seen. The chicks were all chipmunk coloring. Now 3 of them are about same size and coloring with black and brown feathers that is Momma, Fran and Beatrice. THey have larger tail feathers. The other 3 are lighter and one appears to be a rooster (Goldie) but I need help with them. THey are smaller and tail feathers are smaller too. They are more brown and gold. I thought they might be Welsummers, then maybe Golden Salmon Marans and now I am not sure. They maybe crossbreeds.

2 hatched from light brown eggs and are black. Tia is solid black including her legs and beak. Napoleon was black with a white dot on his head as a chick and now he is smaller, authoritative and gray with beautiful markings. Black Sex Links? Black Marans?

I dont have a clue to what type any of them are or if they are boys or girls. HELP

Not sure on the breed; looks almost like a Dark Cornish, except for the comb. Maybe a Barnevelder or Partridge something? Comb/wattles aren't that developed, but the legs are thick (a sign of a rooster).

Black bird in center looks like an Australorp or Black Jersey Giant pullet--check the bottoms of the feet to be sure. Australorps will have white bottoms, while JGs will have yellow bottoms. Barred bird towards the back is probably a Cuckoo Marans; not sure on the gender. Other two: same ideas as the above photo.
Probably either a Welsummer or Partridge Plymouth Rock pullet. But it will be easier to tell once she feathers out more.

Either a Cuckoo Marans or a Barred Plymouth Rock. Possible cockerel.
Welsummer or Partridge Rock (or something else). Looking like a cockerel due to the thick legs and slow feathering.

 

[The Momma]

After searching the types that you suggested, I think you are right on. I'm a little worried that I have 4 cockerels but time will tell. I know without a doubt I have two. Napoleon (Cuckoo Maran) is the best. I hate that Im going to have to give him up. Hopefully to a good home bc he will be beautiful and loves the ladies. He's been very dominant since birth.

All the chickens have thick legs so while I am not discounting your observation, I'm not holding onto that either. Surely I have a few girls in the mix.

Thanks for your input. I will post more pics when they get a little older. No matter what, I certainly have some gorgeous girls. So excited!!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

If a farmer gave you some eggs, I highly doubt that they are purebred birds. It takes a whole lot of work to keep that many breeds separate and pure on the same property, and it doesn't make much sense that they'd just give away the purebred eggs that they've worked so hard on. For that reason, I think you have all barnyard mixes. The dark eggs probably came from Marans or Marans crosses. The one getting the stripes have a barred or cuckoo parent in there somewhere.

 

[Wyandottes7]

In my opinion, your birds are all mixes. They all look somewhat like a pure breed, but not exactly.

 

[The Momma]

does it matter if the hens/pullets are all mixes? Does it effect eggs? The farmer I got them from has 6 different pens. He's getting rid of his flock so instead of getting hens, I opted for eggs since I have never hatched any.

I'm getting Barnevelders and Welsummers in the spring so I'm looking forward to them coming!!

 

[Wyandottes7]

does it matter if the hens/pullets are all mixes? Does it effect eggs? The farmer I got them from has 6 different pens. He's getting rid of his flock so instead of getting hens, I opted for eggs since I have never hatched any.

I'm getting Barnevelders and Welsummers in the spring so I'm looking forward to them coming!!

Nope, it really doesn't matter, unless you want to show them or are trying to get purebred birds. The egg quality will not be affected. In fact, your birds will probably be healthier than pure breeds, because they are hybrids. Hybrids often have what is called "hybrid vigor".

 

[The Momma]

awesome!! i'm totally fine with that bc they are beautiful and very laid back little birds. can't wait for them to start laying. thanks very much for the reply!