Ahhhh, I am SO new to chickens, I didn't realize there were different types of combs. I did wonder why hers was so much smaller than the others, but she is not laying yet, and I thought it would grow. (I can't believe I am admitting this, but it is a learning process and theres a certain level of anonimity here) Thanks, much. I will go and reasearch combs, beards, toe color, etc. Alot more indicators than just looks! And darn, I think I want to get an Australorp!
Can you get another shot of her from the side and maybe closer to her head so we can get a good look at the comb and if she has a beard (puffy cheeks)?
This is pretty exciting to have people WANT to see pics of my chicks. Here she is, and I don't believe she has a beard. I have two chickens with puffy, tufty cheeks, I wouldn't have guessed that was called a beard! They are wierd colors..I have read the term "mutts here, so I assumed that was what they were.
I didn't even ask about them. They lay blue-green and olive green, so they must be EE, from what I am gathering. Once again, here is Raven, from the side, hopefully helpful. If you're willing to take the time to comment, I am willing to take the pics. Plus it is helping her self esteem. Minniechick..., your birds look slenderer. What a great pic that is with Specklehen (hope I remember your names correct)
EEs don't have to have muff and beard since they are a mix breed... And they can have any type comb just most have the pea. It could be Australorp, is that a variation of light and dark feather? Or is it just the lighting? Trying to find a pic of mine to show how black she is, very black no variation and shiny too like yours, thats why I ask about the trick of photo lighting, it could just look like it has lighter and darker feather in the pic, straight comb
This was the best I can do with mine without the lighting messing too much with her color... Close up of Austra face at about 4 months here
Also 3-4 months here,
No updated 8 month pics yet but she is solid black fat, fluffy soft and shiny. black legs with white toenails and, larger now than these picks, red comb, wattles, and face.
I am sticking with her being an Australorp. I think the lighter color seen in this picture is just the light reflecting off her irridescence. She is a lovely girl. And I have a few out here who are only 9-weeks (the reason they look so slender) who have a bit of variation in the facial coloring as well as their wattle size. The give-away for the EEs is the tufts or beard and the olive colored legs, plus the fact that they lay tinted eggs. They come in a variety of colors since they are not a true breed but a grouping of a mix of them that lay tinted eggs. There are two true breeds that lay them, as I understand it originated from the Araucana, and then the North American version, the Americana. If I am wrong I am sure there is someone on the forum who will let us know. Did you say this little lady is laying? I am going to be excited when mine start to, but I have about another 10-weeks to wait for it.
She can't be an Australorp with a pea comb. She can be an Easter Egger without a beard, though. I had one or two of my pure Ameraucanas hatch beardless, clearly a fault, but yet, they were Ameraucanas.