Ok - I'm going to guess that because you said you were surprised about the chicks color that none of the parents were barred - so that leads me to conclude that one of the parents is either a recessive white or blue (blue can sometimes hide a barring gene). The bird has a single comb, so both the parents must be single combed. There are no feathers on the legs so neither parents can be pure for feathered legs. I do not know what color the legs are from the picture - but I would have to agree they do look yellowish or possibly slate that has been diluted down by the cuckoo gene. Both of these genes are recessive, which would mean neither of the parents could have been white legged. From all the standards I can think of that have single combs and slate legs, I can think of Australorps and Jersey Giants and Javas and those with yellow legs would have to include New Hampshire, RIR, Plymouth Rock, Hollands and Delawares. I am ruling out all birds with a barring gene and that are rare, which leaves me with the following as potential parents:
Australorps, Jersey Giants, New Hampshire, RIR, Plymouth Rock (not barred)
Looking at his body he looks like he could be dual purpose but he is very young and it is difficult to tell. I cannot tell what color his earlobes are at this young age either, but they are looking like red earlobes - which pretty much rules out all of the Mediterranean class of poultry. It appears that there is a hint of red in his shoulder patches (could this be a reflection from the feeder?), and his barring is a bit murky on the back, which suggests that one of his parents is not an extended black carrier (but if one of the parents is white - the white parent could be the culprit). Since the chick is a male - it is impossible for me to tell whether it was the father or the mother that carried that "secret" barring gene.
I am going to go with he has yellow legs and eliminate Australorps and Jersey Giants off my list. Just a guess.
Based on my limited background information I am going to hazard a guess: White Rock X New Hampshire
Kristen
