Let’s ID My Meal Maker

[AUChickenGal]

Almost 4 weeks old update:

I’m still completely puzzled. She’s going to keep me in suspense for quite a while, it seems!

Her feather pattern reminds me of a darker version of wheaten pullets. She isn’t red like typical red/gold sex link pullets. I generally expect free chicks to be something inexpensive…maybe/maybe not on this one.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Her variety is wheaten but the single comb and clean legs make it interesting. She’s likely one of their Wheaten Olive Eggers as they’re stated to have clean or feathered legs and pea or single combs

 

[AUChickenGal]

She’s likely one of their Wheaten Olive Eggers as they’re stated to have clean or feathered legs and pea or single combs

Oh, I hadn't even thought of that! I had ordered a Wheaten Marans, and unfortunately she died of shipping stress the first night. It would be fantastic if I ended up getting some dark egg genes into the flock anyway!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Oh, I hadn't even thought of that! I had ordered a Wheaten Marans, and unfortunately she died of shipping stress the first night. It would be fantastic if I ended up getting some dark egg genes into the flock anyway!

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[AUChickenGal]

She is developing a little crest. Olive Egger it is, I think!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

She is developing a little crest. Olive Egger it is, I think!

Yes, I feel confident in that now! Her color is also sex-specific so you can rest assured she’s a pullet!

 

[AUChickenGal]

Final follow-up on my little mystery chick. She did end up being a Wheaten Olive Egger, with a very small crest. She does not, however, lay olive colored eggs. She laid the dark brown eggs shown here in the incubator with eggs from my homebred Easter Eggers:

That would probably be a disappointment to someone who ordered an Olive Egger. For me, it ended up being a fantastic surprise! I had ordered a Wheaten Marans, who didn't survive shipping. So, although this girl was "just" an extra chick, she still met my goal of dark eggs. Win/win. Her eggs aren't as dark as the Marans I've had before laid, but they are darker than any Welsummer I've ever had. Overall, I'm pleased.