I received a mystery chick

[terriplus4]

Hello, can anyone help me identify this chicken? Originally it was part of the Barred Rock chicks I purchased 17 weeks ago. It was apparent very early on it was not a Barred Rock. Cal Ranch thought perhaps a rare breed from Hoover Hatchery accidentally got mixed in that they received at the same time. Also am I correct that it is looking to be a rooster? Thank you for your help.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yes, he's a rooster.
I'm no longer entirely up to date on chicken breeds, but he looks a bit like a Sumatra.
Am I correct in thinking he has a pea comb? What color are the underside of his feet? (The underside of his feet will tell you his skin color; his shanks are black, but that's not the actual color of his skin).

 

[terriplus4]

Yes, he's a rooster.
I'm no longer entirely up to date on chicken breeds, but he looks a bit like a Sumatra.
Am I correct in thinking he has a pea comb? What color are the underside of his feet? (The underside of his feet will tell you his skin color; his shanks are black, but that's not the actual color of his skin).

The undersides are light grey. Hoover does not have a Sumatra. Could it be a Mystic Onyx? That is on the list. As for pea comb it is either that or no comb yet. But that would be odd for a rooster, correct? Shouldn't he be getting a comb by 17 1/2 weeks of age?

 

[JedJackson]

It fits fine for Mystic Onyx, which can have some variability in appearance due to them being hybrids.

I believe I see male specific feathering coming in, but it sure does have a tiny comb if it is a male of 17 weeks.

 

[sylviethecochin]

The undersides are light grey. Hoover does not have a Sumatra. Could it be a Mystic Onyx? That is on the list. As for pea comb it is either that or no comb yet. But that would be odd for a rooster, correct? Shouldn't he be getting a comb by 17 1/2 weeks of age?

I used to work at TSC, so I saw a lot of chicks come through. Hoover's Hatchery used to have a fairly bare-bones site, and they sent us quite a few breeds not listed on it. That may have changed; I see their site is more detailed these days.
Mystic Onyx seem to be a pretty recent cross, so characteristics are not guaranteed, and he could be one, but from what I'm seeing of them, I'd expect more red (EDT: and/or comb + crest) on him.
As for why I'm 95% sure that's a roo--

(not my image).

 

[terriplus4]

I used to work at TSC, so I saw a lot of chicks come through. Hoover's Hatchery used to have a fairly bare-bones site, and they sent us quite a few breeds not listed on it. That may have changed; I see their site is more detailed these days.
Mystic Onyx seem to be a pretty recent cross, so characteristics are not guaranteed, and he could be one, but from what I'm seeing of them, I'd expect more red (EDT: and/or comb + crest) on him.
As for why I'm 95% sure that's a roo--
View attachment 3877527
(not my image).

The other day he (she?) squatted and let me pet him. Would a rooster do that? Other than that time he has never liked to be touched but walks up to us and seems very curious and friendly. He is the first to greet us every time we come to the coop.

 

[sylviethecochin]

The other day he (she?) squatted and let me pet him. Would a rooster do that? Other than that time he has never liked to be touched but walks up to us and seems very curious and friendly. He is the first to greet us every time we come to the coop.

I would not expect squatting from a rooster, so I'm down to 70% certain. Sumatras are on the flightier side, so that's a definite point towards Mystic Onyx, too.

I would expect a rooster to be bolder and more personable than the hens. That's a pretty normal rooster trait. So *shrugs*.

I was basing most of my sexing guesswork on those long, floppy back and neck feathers I see in your pictures. Note that black chickens are a little harder to sex than others, because both sexes naturally look glossy, where in other colors, it's just the rooster.

Chickens with peacombs are also hard to sex. Roosters can avoid having a bright red comb for a good, long while, and the wattles are suppressed by the same gene that causes the peacomb.

In conclusion. If I were betting money, right now, I'd go with rooster. I wouldn't lay any money on breed, one way of the other.