how do you tell amherst hens from goldens?

[jrobertson]

I was wondering how you can tell lady amherst hens from red golden hens. Are there different leg colors and such that will identify one from the other. Also will a male that hasn't completely colored out, still breed and be fertile? And lastly, if you continuously pull eggs from them, how many eggs will the ornamental breeds lay in a season?

 

[coffeepheasant]

The main differences are that female goldens have yellow legs and have a yellow tinge, whereas the female lady amherst have stale blue legs with a bluish tinge.The female lady amhersts are bigger. My hens will lay about 30-40 eggs 7 in a clutch if they are continously pulled.
Be careful though because they often breed and produce fertile hybrids something WE MUST NOT LET HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!
The males often mate and produce fertile eggs in their first year. Mine produced chicks in their first year. I hope this helps ! kind regards
coffee pheasant

 

[greymane]

The Lady Amhersts should have a very light (almost white) abdomen. The skin of the LA should be blue-gray as opposed to a more yellow with the Golden. If they are not pure (or close) they can be very difficult to distinguish.