I just got my very first mail order chicks from Ideal today. I ordered 5 each of the following - all pullets.
Columbian Wyandottes
Welsummers
Barnevelders
Speckled Sussex
Partridge Rocks
Ameracaunas (well, Easter Eggers, I guess, from what I read here)
31 were shipped; 6 were DOA. 2 of the DOA were Columbian Wyandottes. I can identify the surviving Wyandottes and the Partridge Rocks, but except for one very light chick with faint brown striping, all the rest look like variations on the same theme - chipmunk stripes! I can't identify the other 4 dead chicks - I'm fearing they are all Speckled Sussex, because they are lighter in color than the other chipmunk striped ones.
Some have yellow bellies, some have gray bellies, some have more distinct, contrasty stripes on their backs than others, which are more dark brown with light gray/brown stripes. A lot have black eyeliner, some have more of a wide brown stipe that runs through their eyes. None have "white eyeliner" completely around the eyes that I have seen pictured on BYC for Barnevelders.
I have looked at the pictures I have accumulated of these chick breeds - can't really tell by comparing mine to those.
At the moment I really want to identify the dead chicks so I can let Ideal know which ones didn't make it. Can anyone give me guidance on how to tell the Welsummers, Barnevelders, Sussex, and Ameracaunas apart?
I anticipate a request for photos! I'm heading off to get the camera now!
Columbian Wyandottes
Welsummers
Barnevelders
Speckled Sussex
Partridge Rocks
Ameracaunas (well, Easter Eggers, I guess, from what I read here)
31 were shipped; 6 were DOA. 2 of the DOA were Columbian Wyandottes. I can identify the surviving Wyandottes and the Partridge Rocks, but except for one very light chick with faint brown striping, all the rest look like variations on the same theme - chipmunk stripes! I can't identify the other 4 dead chicks - I'm fearing they are all Speckled Sussex, because they are lighter in color than the other chipmunk striped ones.
Some have yellow bellies, some have gray bellies, some have more distinct, contrasty stripes on their backs than others, which are more dark brown with light gray/brown stripes. A lot have black eyeliner, some have more of a wide brown stipe that runs through their eyes. None have "white eyeliner" completely around the eyes that I have seen pictured on BYC for Barnevelders.
I have looked at the pictures I have accumulated of these chick breeds - can't really tell by comparing mine to those.
At the moment I really want to identify the dead chicks so I can let Ideal know which ones didn't make it. Can anyone give me guidance on how to tell the Welsummers, Barnevelders, Sussex, and Ameracaunas apart?
I anticipate a request for photos! I'm heading off to get the camera now!
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