maran? or orpington?

[jmmre31]

I just hatched out some FBC marans. I was also hatching out some of my orpington eggs. I have a mixed-up orpingtons. They are black, buff, lavandar. Anyway, I'm looking at one of the peeps I thought was an orpington, and it has feathered feet! Ok, I've never had feathered feet on any of my orpington peeps before. Is it a Maran? It has a black body, brown head, brownish-grey underbelly, & grey legs. The legs are feather just like the maran chicks. Do you think he sent me a mixed egg? He said he only has marans? Do these pop up on occation in Maran lines?

 

[Illia]

Sounds to me like an overly coppered or mossy Marans. Often they'll hatch out with a reddish hue to them, yes. That or he gave you a different breed or mutt. Have you done a count of chicks vs egg shells?

That should tell you what he is.

ETA - Marans always has an S, even in singular use.

 

[Goose and Fig]

It's most likely a marans. I have one growing out that I could tell at just a few days it was going to be way too coppery. That might be the case with your little one too.

 

[jmmre31]

They finally admitted to having one welsummer hen. He accidently left her egg in the shipment! So I now have 7 full blooded maran chicks (hopefully), 1 welsummer/maran chick, and 6 buff/black orpington chicks! It would be nice if people let you know these things up front. No, I wouldn't have bought their eggs, but you'd think as the buyer I'd have some rights.

How would anyone tell the difference between the welsummer and maran eggs? I didn't notice any of the eggs looking different.

At least I know what she is now.