Is there such a thing as a "Key" to chicken breeds?

[fernnut]

I've adopted 6 chickens from a rescue farm and would like to identify them if possible. I've had experience using keys to identify plants - is there a "key" to identify chickens. One of them looks like a Light Sussex except it has yellow legs - what has this marking AND yellow leggs, etc? If there is no such thing (a great $ opportunity for some knowledgeable person), I'll just post pictures and see if you wonderful folks can help.

Donna

 

[gritsar]

You may find this helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/

Also, this:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[tallyho]

You mean like a decision tree. Good idea!

 

[Cowgirl71]

Is it a Delaware? Here's a pic: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...=1t:429,r:6,s:168&tx=96&ty=50&biw=800&bih=390

 

[fernnut]

Quote:
I don't think so - the feathers on her hackels are black with white just around the edges, same with the tail feathers. I'll try to get a picture tomorrow, my daughter has my camera and the chickens will be going to bed soon. She's a pretty girl - probably around 18 or 19 weeks. She may not even be full blooded anything.

 

[fernnut]

Quote:
Right, you start with one trait and go from there to pick things like eye color, leg color,ear color. For instance you have a black chicken then your next decision might be a) if it has yellow skin and legs then go "here" - b) if it has black legs and skin go "here" - c) if it has white legs go "here" and so on. Hope that makes sence

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Right, you start with one trait and go from there to pick things like eye color, leg color,ear color. For instance you have a black chicken then your next decision might be a) if it has yellow skin and legs then go "here" - b) if it has black legs and skin go "here" - c) if it has white legs go "here" and so on. Hope that makes sence

That is a dichotomous key. They can be very handy at narrowing down choices.

 

[fernnut]

Quote:
Right, you start with one trait and go from there to pick things like eye color, leg color,ear color. For instance you have a black chicken then your next decision might be a) if it has yellow skin and legs then go "here" - b) if it has black legs and skin go "here" - c) if it has white legs go "here" and so on. Hope that makes sence

That is a dichotomous key. They can be very handy at narrowing down choices.

Do you know where we can find one on chickens????

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Don't know of any.

 

[jenjscott]

The problem with chickens is that there are so many crossed up ones that they will never fit a key.