Information on Production Blacks/California Greys

[Arya28]

Hi everyone!

So a couple months ago, we got these six mystery chicks and were trying to identify the breed in this post, which many of you gave your opinion on. It seems that most of you thought that they are barred rocks. However, they have a black wash going down their legs that most barred rocks don't have. And at this age, it seems their patterning is closer to a cuckoo marans, because the barring is less distinct. Only thing is, cuckoo marans don't have yellow on their legs and beak. So really, I was thinking maybe they are some sort of hybrid. There is a lot of color variation, some are mostly white, others mostly black, some in between.

So today I just came across in the reviews section on BYC a breed called production blacks. I have never heard of them before, but the picture looks just like these guys did when they were little! Researching it I even noticed some of them have yellow legs with a black wash down them.

However, there isn't a lot of information on them. It also seems like they are often considered to be California Greys, though I don't know if they are technically the same breed or not.

So if anyone has any more information on these breed(s) that would be really great!

And if you have some and can provide pictures that would be even better!

Do you think that's what these guys could be? I guess if they lay white eggs, we'll know! Lol

 

[Pyxis]

Pretty sure you have hatchery barred rocks. Barring on hatchery birds isn't the best, nor is it very crisp, so it very well could look like cuckoo pattern. Young barred rocks DO have a black wash down their legs, and in fact it's a bit of a sex linked trait - females have a darker wash than males, generally speaking.

And, barring is a sex linked trait, too. Barred rock males are double barred and females are single barred. So your 'mostly black' ones are likely pullets and the 'mostly white' ones are double barred males.

Production blacks are a very leghorn-like hybrid. They lay white eggs, have white earlobes, and look very different than barred rocks when they are mature, type-wise.

 

[Arya28]

Pretty sure you have hatchery barred rocks. Barring on hatchery birds isn't the best, nor is it very crisp, so it very well could look like cuckoo pattern. Young barred rocks DO have a black wash down their legs, and in fact it's a bit of a sex linked trait - females have a darker wash than males, generally speaking.

And, barring is a sex linked trait, too. Barred rock males are double barred and females are single barred. So your 'mostly black' ones are likely pullets and the 'mostly white' ones are double barred males.

Production blacks are a very leghorn-like hybrid. They lay white eggs, have white earlobes, and look very different than barred rocks when they are mature, type-wise.

Ok, thanks! Yep, half of them are definitely roosters, and they do have thicker whiter barring so you're probably right. I've never heard of barred rocks having a black wash down their legs before, so that definitely makes it seem like that's more likely now.