Help with Identifying Chick Breed?

[Mack_22]

I just purchased 4 new chicks to add to my flock. They are all healthy and happy but I’m having trouble identifying the breed of them. I got two of what we’re labeled “Marans” at Tractor Supply. Gee thanks... which variety?? I’ve searche and searched but I can’t tell what kind they are! They only have one feathered toe with I’ve read is good because the middle toe being feathered disqualifies show chickens. Anyways the other two were labeled crele penedesencas, but they look identical to some welsummer chicks I’ve had before. All 4 are pullets! Please help with both!!

The “Marans:”

The Crele Penedesecnas:

These were what my Welsummer chicks looked like:

 

[cavemanrich]

Cant be much help with the ID,,,,,,, but would like to WELCOME YOU to BYC.
I know others will chime in on the breeds, since this is the time most peeps are getting their new chicks,,.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[Mack_22]

Thank you!!

 

[ColoradoPip]

I'm not an expert at all. That 1st one looks just like my cuckoo maran chicks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I got two of what we’re labeled “Marans” at Tractor Supply.

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

That one pictured will either blue or blue copper most likely. Cute chick, I love Marans!

Anyways the other two were labeled crele penedesencas, but they look identical to some welsummer chicks I’ve had before.

A lot of chicks look ALMOST identical at hatch. It can be difficult to tell lobe and eye color apart also combs type can be challenging to make out early on... and as they mature they will get their body type and other defining features. I can see leg color difference between the ones labeled as penedesenca and welsummer... many others will look similar though like even Bielefelder or cream legbar... when searching out a specific breed chick... it very important to be familiar with EXACTLY what you are looking at. Those experienced with a particular breed are often able to pick out minute details indicating breed differences. I'm not sure about creole pattern but all the partridge patterns look essentially the same regardless of breed.

Also TSC gets most their birds from Hoover Hatchery, I think. According to their site they are offering Midnight majesty, black copper, cuckoo, and wheaten... NO blue... MAYBE it is cuckoo like another poster suggested as I type this, despite not being what I expect a cuckoo chick to look like, I'm learning all the time. The price you paid might be an indication of WHICH variety it is... Looks like the French Marans go for around $7+. Do you know which hatchery your TSC uses?
https://hoovershatchery.com/darklayers.html

 

[ColoradoPip]

I think you are right Eggsited, my cuckoos dont have the same head coloration as the OP

 

[Mack_22]

I'm not an expert at all. That 1st one looks just like my cuckoo maran chicks

Thank you! I agree but looking up cuckoo Maran chicks they don’t appear to have feathered feet?? Is that just me?

 

[Mack_22]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

That one pictured will either blue or blue copper most likely. Cute chick, I love Marans!


A lot of chicks look ALMOST identical at hatch. It can be difficult to tell lobe and eye color apart also combs type can be challenging to make out early on... and as they mature they will get their body type and other defining features. I can see leg color difference between the ones labeled as penedesenca and welsummer... many others will look similar though like even Bielefelder or cream legbar... when searching out a specific breed chick... it very important to be familiar with EXACTLY what you are looking at. Those experienced with a particular breed are often able to pick out minute details indicating breed differences. I'm not sure about creole pattern but all the partridge patterns look essentially the same regardless of breed.

Also TSC gets most their birds from Hoover Hatchery, I think. According to their site they are offering Midnight majesty, black copper, cuckoo, and wheaten... NO blue... MAYBE it is cuckoo like another poster suggested as I type this, despite not being what I expect a cuckoo chick to look like, I'm learning all the time. The price you paid might be an indication of WHICH variety it is... Looks like the French Marans go for around $7+. Do you know which hatchery your TSC uses?
https://hoovershatchery.com/darklayers.html

I appreciate your advice! I understand the difference between the Welsummer and the Creole Penedesecna. So I don’t know which hatchery our towns’ TSC uses but I’d assume it would be the same?? I paid about $4 each chick so I don’t think they are the French variety. After looking at Hoover Hatchery’s website and comparing prices they could either be Cuckoo or Midnight Majesty, both of which look VEEERY similar as chicks.

 

[Mack_22]

I think you are right Eggsited, my cuckoos dont have the same head coloration as the OP

Those do look quite similar, but my chicks appear more yellow in their chests, and their wings are grey tipped not white. Could still be the same breed just a different color combination possibly.

 

[ColoradoPip]

They can be feathered or not. The breed standard on some sites says no feathers on feet or shank, while on others it says feathered. I am no expert. Just relaying what I've been reading.

Feathered feet in the first chick pic here
https://chickenbreedslist.com/marans/
Here too if you look closely at the smallish pic
https://www.northwoodspoultry.com/black-copper-marans.htm
On this page, https://maranschickenclubusa.com/ it says

Marans have been imported to the USA in small numbers for many years now, probably beginning around the time that soldiers returned to the States after World War II. Over the years, birds and eggs have been brought in not only from France but also from countries such as England, Canada, Australia, and possibly Belgium and Switzerland. Importations of "English-type" clean-legged Marans have led to the establishment of many clean-legged flocks in this country, especially in the Cuckoo variety; nonetheless, the American standard adheres to the French standard, calling for lightly feathered shanks and toes.

Probably not a cuckoo, but still might be a maran in my opinion