Italian Buttercup

[KatieKatieTheChickenLady]

I wasn’t sure about what type of chicken I might have gotten from my friend who gave me two of her eggs and lo and behold. I think I’ve gotten the jackpot Italian butter cups! Here’s a few pictures …

 

[ColtHandorf]

Did they hatch from white eggs? If they are indeed Buttercups, which I very much doubt they are, the breed is called Sicilian Buttercups, not Italian Buttercups. The chick down is not consistent with Buttercups (I breed and raise them).

This is what they should look like as chicks.

Yours lack the correct markings around the face and the down pattern isn't quite right.

As they continue to feather out, they should look like this.

You can see the pattern on the head is still there until it is replaced by feathers. While the birds in question have willow legs, which is correct, that is not a true double comb. It appears to be modified, which means they carry another gene for comb type. Feather coloration is also inconsistent with a Buttercup cockerel, and that older bird is most certainly male.

@azygous - You're one of the only other people I know with them. Would you agree?

 

[KatieKatieTheChickenLady]

Oops. I guess I’m wrong. Yes, white eggs. They are are almost 4 weeks old and are quite large. They aren’t too chatty. Very sweet and don’t mind sitting on my hand. They love to be petted. So much fun. I’m a first time chicken mom. The person I get the eegs from mentioned that they might be part Buff Orpington?? So you’re probably right about not being “true” Sicilian ( which was an accident- meant to say Sicilian).

 

[KatieKatieTheChickenLady]

About one month old.The photos are all of the same bird.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Yeah, I'd think they are mixed. I'd ask her what roosters she has that could have crossed with them. With the modified double comb and the white egg shells, chances are mom was a Buttercup.