Mom of 6 chicks

[Wyandottes7]

They're not Marans. Marans have straight combs and totally different body types, plus most cuckoos in the US don't seem to have feathered legs. Looks like there was a silkie in the mix back there somewhere, accounts for the dark skin, extra toes and crests/muffs.

The barred bird with feathered legs is male. I'm not sure if that's the same bird in the middle in the last picture, but that bird is male also. Everyone else looks female at this point.

X2

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

Thanks for the info.

One other bit of information, here. The three black "hens" (hoping), were solid black with grey rumps...with the exception of one with a white throat. The black on their heads was more intense than the body. Their disposition is trusting and friendly.

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

Hello all in BYC land. I've got a few update photos I'd like to send your way. Still need your help in deciding what breed of birds these chickens are and the possibility of their gender. My inlaws haven't a clue as to the breed. I noticed some features on these birds which resemble Marans...possibly cuckoo and black copper, although their father resembles a Dorking. One mother was barred but not like a barred rock. The other was large and black...a beauty! I hope these pictures are of better quality for identification purposes. The birds are now 9 1/2 weeks old. All were hatched within a couple of days of each other. The birds in the first two pics (along with one not pictured who resembles the first but with no feathers on the legs) have extra digits and feathers along the outsides of the legs - the second bird with only a few. They have extra toes. They are larger than the black chicks.





The black 9 week olds also have extra toes but their legs and feet are black with grey on the undersides of their feet. All three were coal black on their heads and slate to black on their backs when they were just a few days old. There was only a bit of white under their beaks. One chick had little white spots on each corner of the beak.






No matter what they are...they're wonderful, whimsical chickens.

 

[donrae]

I don't know what breeds they are, but from what you're saying the barred males are black sex links. A non-barred rooster over a barred hen will give barred male offspring and non-barred female offspring. So, that helps with sexing.

With the crests, feathered legs and beards and funky combs and five toes, I think I'm seeing a silkie back a few generations.

It's likely you'll never know what mix they are. They definitely aren't a "breed", but a mix of mixes probably, with several breeds stirred in there. Decide how you're going to manage multiple roosters and enjoy the pullets!

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

Thanks so much for responding, donrae. I guess the term "Sex Links" is a good one for this batch of misfits that I enjoy so much. I still have a few other questions that maybe you can answer for me, so your patience is greatly appreciated. The father of the chicks closely resembles that of a male light grey dorking...same feather structure and stance as well as tall comb. There are three hens...two with bars and one that was solid black and quite large (a beauty in itself). If it turns out that the rooster is in fact a light grey dorking, is there a chance that any of the young barred chicks I have could be a hen? The one I speak of is the second picture in my last post. This one sets quite wide in the abdominal region and is more horizontal in stance when out and about. It has no comb (or wattle) development other than a few peas right above the beak. Now the one in the picture below, I have thought since the early stages that it was a rooster.



If I have at least three hens, I'll be a happy camper. The three black chicks are a bit skittish till held, then they fall asleep in our arms...quite the social birds. If we have more than one rooster (which I believe we do), all but one would return to the farm.

Thanks for your help.

 

[donrae]

The barred birds are both male. That much comb at this age is male, plus the sex linkage means all barred birds from a non-barred rooster (no matter the breed) over a barred female (no matter the breed) are male. Your cute little ladies have no comb or wattles, this barred guy has a fair amount, esp for this young age.

Half and half isn't bad!

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

You're right! I was lucky to "inherit" at least three little hens. This morning, the barred one with the most feathers on the legs let out his first...adolescent...crow. It sounded like a pre-teen trying to talk with a bunch of potato chips in his mouth.

I forgot what it was like to have chickens raised from little bundles of fluff...so enjoyable. I urge anybody who hasn't tried, to give it a go! They are so entertaining...and clever (to a certain degree).

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

My latest update...

It's official...at least 2 of the barred chicks (now 12 1/2 weeks old) are definitely roos. The third barred remains quiet. The two shared in a morning serenade...rough as they sounded, but they definitely crowed. One is remaining grey and white (Mojo) but the other now has hints of iridescent green as well as cream-yellow feather saddles across his back (Noodles). The longer feathers are beginning to fill in on the tail region on Noodles..also, the spurs are developing. (Doggone it. I was so hoping it was a BR hen, but that's the fun of acquisition of chickens without knowing truly who the parents were). Ohhh...such a difficult decision. Mojo has the best overall body conformity and is absolutely the healthiest looking young rooster. It's soo difficult to decide which roo would stay and which would go. If it turns out the third one (the one with the feathers on the sides of the legs) also crows...it might be the keeper, especially with the feathered legs...although the one I call Noodles (the one with a slight crest on the head) is much friendlier. Peeps as I aptly named it...is a character in itself and is quite entertaining.

The three black chicks...all turning a gorgeous iridescent green. I'm pretty sure they are all black Ameracaunas. Daddy is gorgeous and there was one nice black hen where I acquired my chookies. Cuddles, my absolute most favorite of all six chickens comes to me when I call "her"...still has a slate single row of peas tinged in yellow and are quite small, a darker face with a hint of pink and thinner, (perfect) black legs and long, straight toes (grayish white undersides) than the three gray barred chicks. Precious...still as sweet as can be and Henny Penny...still has that pretty necklace of golden brown similar to the feathers of a gold-laced wyandotte around the neck region and deep green in the wings, back and tail. All three have smaller legs, are friendly and great chicks...hopefully all three are hens. Not one of them have any significant comb development worth mentioning. They'd bring some beautiful chicks into the world.

Final note...

I've got a difficult decision coming up very soon. I will have to part with all but one rooster (maybe all three if the third one crows) and I hate to give up any of these beauties. They all have personality traits of their own and are a joy to observe and care for. Luckily, the roosters don't serenade every morning yet, but they are sparring with each other when out and about in the yard. I found with the shorter days, that if I turn on the lamp at 6:30 in the coop in the morning, they crow for about 5 minutes and are done. I'm not sure if anybody else has tried this, but it seems to work with them.

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

I am soooo excited. A relative of mine has shared a photo of who I claim as Big Daddy to my chooks. He IS a beauty!!! One of my birds, his offspring...has lemon markings on the shoulders (hope, hope, hope to be the same in looks and stature).

 

[Mom of 6 chicks]

Also...I still have only one roo serenading the mornings. The others...not a peep (no pun intended).