My Mysteries and Hopefully Better Pics

[ChickenChick46]

I'm hoping these are some better pictures of Hashbrown and Bubble, my 2 mysteries. I initially thought these chicks were cochins, although I couldn't really match them to a specific color.

I am still so new to all this, and I'll look at the characteristics and think I got all the things, only to realize I forgot something obvious. In this case, comb type.

I looked at the number of toes and the feathered legs, the feather colors and leg color. But I forgot all about the comb. And if I'm being honest, I'm not great at differentiating comb type yet anyway.

So, I'm posting some pictures here to learn from y'all. The first 2 pictures are of Hashbrown, and the second 2 are of Bubble. Neither loves sitting still for the camera, but I hope these pictures help. If I need to take more, I'm happy to.

Are they both buff brahma bantams? Making these pea combs? Bubble's coloration isn't exactly the same as Hashbrown's, particularly the wing markings. Is it a different breed? Or same breed but different genders? Or just variation amongst hatchery chicks of the same breed?

Thank y'all so much for your help and patience with me!

 

[OnlySympathy]

They are too young to tell right now. Usually around 6-8 weeks is a good starting point for trying to find breed

 

[NatJ]

Are they both buff brahma bantams? Making these pea combs?

I think probably yes.

Baby pea combs often do look about like that. Yes, it's very hard to get good pictures of the tiny comb on a wiggly chick!

Bubble's coloration isn't exactly the same as Hashbrown's, particularly the wing markings. Is it a different breed? Or same breed but different genders? Or just variation amongst hatchery chicks of the same breed?

At present, I would guess variation among hatchery chicks of the same breed, that could be same or different sexes.

As they grow older, it should get easier to figure out.

But for a guess at the present time, I'd say Buff Brahma, unknown sexes, sounds pretty good.

They are too young to tell right now. Usually around 6-8 weeks is a good starting point for trying to find breed

Even at this age, it is sometimes possible to narrow it down to just a few options. In this case, with feathered feet and combs that are probably pea, plus the color, Buff Brahma is almost the only option. (Solid white chicks with single combs and clean feet would be an entirely different case: I can think of at least 4 such breeds without even trying!)

 

[ChickenChick46]

I think probably yes.

Baby pea combs often do look about like that. Yes, it's very hard to get good pictures of the tiny comb on a wiggly chick!


At present, I would guess variation among hatchery chicks of the same breed, that could be same or different sexes.

As they grow older, it should get easier to figure out.

But for a guess at the present time, I'd say Buff Brahma, unknown sexes, sounds pretty good.


Even at this age, it is sometimes possible to narrow it down to just a few options. In this case, with feathered feet and combs that are probably pea, plus the color, Buff Brahma is almost the only option. (Solid white chicks with single combs and clean feet would be an entirely different case: I can think of at least 4 such breeds without even trying!)

Thank you so much! I grabbed them thinking cochins, lol. I've got a slightly older (she's only 5 weeks) red cochin that I wanted to possibly breed one day. I'll stay on the hunt for cochins and explain to my husband that yes, I really did mis-ID these, I'm not just angling for more chicks!

 

[NatJ]

...and explain to my husband that yes, I really did mis-ID these, I'm not just angling for more chicks!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I have one other question that has nothing to do with breed and gender, but I hate to flood the feed with multiple posts.

As my chicks grow (my first 4 are 5 weeks, next 4 are this group, so maybe a week and a half or 2 weeks? And then I'm getting 6 more at the end of September from Meyer), and I'm weaning them off starter feed, should I use All Flock?

I know that I've got one cockerel and I'm keeping him for sure. Since I'll have both sexes and varying ages, I'm thinking a good All Flock (Kalmbach?), grit, and oyster shell out at all times. Does this sound acceptable? I know it's a little early to be thinking about this, but quite frankly, I can't believe my first chicks are already 5 weeks old!

 

[NatJ]

As my chicks grow (my first 4 are 5 weeks, next 4 are this group, so maybe a week and a half or 2 weeks? And then I'm getting 6 more at the end of September from Meyer), and I'm weaning them off starter feed, should I use All Flock?

What reason do you have for taking them off starter feed?

I know that I've got one cockerel and I'm keeping him for sure. Since I'll have both sexes and varying ages, I'm thinking a good All Flock (Kalmbach?), grit, and oyster shell out at all times. Does this sound acceptable?

Yes, that sounds acceptable.

Umedicated chick starter can also be used instead of all flock. It's pretty much the same thing (except that chick starter only comes in crumbles, while All Flock can usually be bought in pellets or crumbles.) If the store is ever out of your preferred feed, it's handy to know what else you can use instead

 

[paulwelchh111]

Thank you so much! I grabbed them thinking cochins, lol. I've got a slightly older (she's only 5 weeks) red cochin that I wanted to possibly breed one day. I'll stay on the hunt for cochins and explain to my husband that yes, I really did mis-ID these, I'm not just angling for more chicks!

Haha, easy mix-up! Brahmas and Cochins look so similar when they’re little it happens to the best of us. They’re both such sweet breeds though, so either way you’ve got some cuties.

 

[ChickenChick46]

What reason do you have for taking them off starter feed?


Yes, that sounds acceptable.

Umedicated chick starter can also be used instead of all flock. It's pretty much the same thing (except that chick starter only comes in crumbles, while All Flock can usually be bought in pellets or crumbles.) If the store is ever out of your preferred feed, it's handy to know what else you can use instead

I won't be taking them off the starter feed until the first group is around 16 weeks. Won't they need to be transitioned off of it around that age to prepare for laying?

And that is definitely good to know about the umedicated starter feed. Right now, they're all on medicated starter/grower.

 

[NatJ]

I won't be taking them off the starter feed until the first group is around 16 weeks. Won't they need to be transitioned off of it around that age to prepare for laying?

No.

The only extra thing they need at laying age is extra calcium. A separate dish of oyster shell can take care of that.

Switching to all flock will not cause trouble, but it is not necessary either. So it's up to what is convenient for you.

And that is definitely good to know about the umedicated starter feed. Right now, they're all on medicated starter/grower.

As a general thing, if it says it is a "complete" feed for any kind of chicken, check the levels of calcium and protein, and that will tell you if it is an acceptable substitute.

Calcium typically runs around 1% in feeds for chicks and roosters, with layer feeds being up over 3%.

20% protein is a good amount, down to about 18% is probably not a concern. High protein is not really a thing to worry about. Feeds up to at least 30% seem to be safe. Protein is usually one of the most expensive ingredients, so there is not much research on what protein level is too high, but it's definitely higher than that.

Feeds labeled for turkeys or ducks & geese are usually fine too, again subject to checking the calcium and protein levels.