I bought these two at a Family Farm & Home and the sign said they were New Hampshire Red??

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

They are both very sweet and will sit on my lap while I work on the computer. I'm just wondering because of their coloring if they are in fact New Hampshire Red? The golden one is going to be a beautiful hen she has black strings running through her golden/red big girl feathers. The other is black with some underneath white big girl feathers. I'm a little worried about the black one she seems to be a bit smaller than the golden and seems to sleep that deep sleep a lot more...maybe she is just growing. She is eating and drinking and she plays. She looks more like a sparrow than a baby chicken so I named her Sparrow and the other is Honey. Let me know if you think they were labeled right?



My son the chicken whisperer puts them to sleep

 

[Pele]

Aw they're adorable. They arn't both New Hampshire (a red chicken breed). The brown one is your likely New Hampshire. The black could be an Australorp, Jersey Giant, or Black Sex-Link. Those are the most common backyard black birds.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Family Farm and Home is good, enjoyable rural store. Still, you may know, that they mostly (if not always) get their chicks from Townline Hatchery in Zeeland. Townline has all three mentioned above, Barred Rocks, Black Sex Links and Australorps, so we'd need better pics of the legs, eyes, etc to help you out with the black chick.

The red chick, what they called New Hampshire "Red" (actually, there's no such breed) will be a hatchery quality red laying bird, somewhat "representing" the New Hampshire.

Hey, as long as they are healthy and happy, that's all that really matters, I'm sure.

 

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

I'll have to google Townline. I grew up on a farm but didn't do much with the chickens. Our mommy chickens always took care of the babies. We never bought baby chicks. Does Townline have a bad rep? We bought two Isa Browns from our local mill and they are a month old and doing well!! And, also very friendly!!

I'm almost positive after looking at the pics of the Australorp, that is what the black chick (Sparrow) is. She has the same feet and eye markings. I don't have a good feeling about her health though. Just in the time I posted my original post she has one eye closed. No goop, no swelling...nothing just closed. She is eating and drinking so I don't know?????? She for sure has a totally different personality than the NH. She is petite and not as curious and adventurous as the NH.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I have purchased many chicks hatched at Townline. They are a solid, well run company.

 

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

I googled them and couldn't find anything bad. The BBB gives them an A+. I am worried about my black hen though. She is sleeping a lot. She now has the eye open. I'm wondering if the other chick pecked her or something? I don't know? I'm wondering if I should separate them? They cry when I do...what to do? Wait and see I guess...

 

[Trefoil]

Unless the other chick is really picking on the black one I wouldn't separate them. Chicks do a lot better with company. Are you feeding medicated chick starter? If not, I would. Also you can boil an egg and give the chicks the yolk crumbled up, its really good for them and should give the slow one a boost. Yogurt is also good for chicks, just a little at a time. I also add about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a pint of their water. Its very possible that the black one is just more laid back, but keep an eye on it, just in case/

 

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

Thank you so very much!! I will do all of those things! Thank you we have grown quite attached to them and I don't want to lose them. The other one is not picking on her really I saw her peck at her once...they snuggle together...I think they are acting normal towards each other. I just thought maybe the other one had pecked her or something. I don't know now she is up eating and scratching. I saw her drinking just a bit ago so I will do the things you suggested. Thank you again! I do appreciate this forum and you for your replies!

 

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

Oh, and yes I am feeding the medicated mixed with organic food and a small amount of grit sprinkled on top. Maybe I'll put more medicated food in the mix.

 

[NaturalMomOfTwo]

I meant to say "I do appreciate this forum and you all for your replies". Thank you!