My hens - can you confirm they are what i think they are

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

The one with reddish/golden feathers looks exactly like one of my black sexlinks/black stars. A black sexlink is a cross between a RIR & a barred rock? Maybe the second black one is a cross between a barred rock & a white chicken?

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
I agree on the first but the barred rock/white chicken would be white.. She has the same build as the first one, just the red is replaced with silver.. So they could just be crosses of who knows what..

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Actually, they are both probably Australorps with parents that did not show the Birchen gene. One silver, one gold/ red. Bred to another bird that had the same gene, or even a bird that showed the same gene (hatcheries don't go for the standard), these birds can come up in all sorts of colors but with Birchen shown, I usually only see the silver and gold/red.

 

[al6517]

The one with the golden neck feathers is a Black sex link for sure.

AL

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Never seen a australorp other than black.. Any info/pictures on "others"?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

This bird came from two black parents. So did the one stepping up behind her. The males were all food, but for some reason, the birchen coloration was somewhat sex-linked. The females were red, while the males were silver.

 

[ginimad]

Thanks guys for all your input... if they are Australorps are they good layers? and please tell me they are both pullets and i dont have a roo... otherwise i will cry lol
lisa x

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Ahh, what causes them to come like that? "genetics", but i mean.. What's in the background of the australorps to cause them to come any other than black? Are there other varieties as well?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Yours are both pullets! lol! Rest easy.

Australorps, especially the production strains, are my favorite layers. The Black Australorp holds the record for the most eggs laid in a single year (364 egg). The females have wonderful personalities and are hilarious to watch.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
Ahh, what causes them to come like that? "genetics", but i mean.. What's in the background of the australorps to cause them to come any other than black? Are there other varieties as well?

I'll PM you with that!