- Apr 13, 2009
- 12
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Hello all - hoping to find at least one person here who may be familiar with these markings to help ID these two chicks. A little "background info" on them, that may or may not help to narrow things down as well as clarify on what the photos may infer but not be accurate about.
Source: TSC - their source: Privett Hatchery in New Mexico. Currently (and for a time now) PH's website is "down" and while unlike most other hatcheries, they do provide photos of both mature birds AND chicks, rather than outdated-public-domain illustrations, I haven't been able to pinpoint these chicks from the tiny photos from their brochure OR the larger poster at TSC. TSC received "mixed/assorted" lots. One of the TSC's, notably the one these chicks came from, have had "someone" accidentally mix in standards with bantams, but I'm fairly confident that is not an issue with these chicks. That is to say, I'm pretty sure they are indeed Bantams.
The photos provided were taken when the chicks were 5-7 days old. Inside lighting did create some "yellow cast" that is not true to life/perceived in natural light with the naked eye.
Of note: There were probably two dozen chicks with these pure white bodies and black markings on the heads and faces, with *some* having black markings on the backs. Like any breed of animal, no two had identical markings, but "close enough" for it to be obvious that they are all of the same "type." I only selected two, because they struck my fancy, but dared not select more not knowing what breed (or possible cross) that they are even though the sharp contrast was very eye-catching. The black pigment does actually appear on the skin around their eyes, but their shanks are a light yellow and they are clean-legged. They do not appear to have muffs, beards, or any protrusions on the skull to indicate unusual combs, crests, or longer feathers that might be "swept back." Their primary wing feathers are beginning to come in and are outlined in white - nixing the notion of a "penciled" or "black laced" variety, while the base colour of the primary feathers appears to be a light grey or grey-blue. Their nostrils are "normal sized", not indicating a Polish or other crested variety. The black markings on their backs have developed a bit more since I first got them, but not much. They aren't "muddled" in colouration. They do _not_ fit the colouration and markings of the standard sized "California White", so I have pretty well ruled that out as well. I'm officially at a loss, especially since the group on the whole was very standardized - either a purebreed or a well-defined and established crossbreed. I've searched the net high and low trying to find pictures of chicks and mature birds alike (even going outside the parameters of "bantams") to try and find any that come anywhere close - to no avail. I'm not going to get my knickers in a wad if I can't ID these chicks before they mature, I don't mind waiting "to see", but as they are now, they pose such a challenge for identification that I am utterly compelled to "reach out" to the poultry community to find out DOES ANYONE HAVE A CLUE?
I'm rather "out of the loop" after many years without fowl so they may be a "new" breed for all I know. Gender isn't really relevant right now, but if anyone has a guess on that as well, fire away.
Thanks in advance for your perusal and attempt to ID.
Source: TSC - their source: Privett Hatchery in New Mexico. Currently (and for a time now) PH's website is "down" and while unlike most other hatcheries, they do provide photos of both mature birds AND chicks, rather than outdated-public-domain illustrations, I haven't been able to pinpoint these chicks from the tiny photos from their brochure OR the larger poster at TSC. TSC received "mixed/assorted" lots. One of the TSC's, notably the one these chicks came from, have had "someone" accidentally mix in standards with bantams, but I'm fairly confident that is not an issue with these chicks. That is to say, I'm pretty sure they are indeed Bantams.
The photos provided were taken when the chicks were 5-7 days old. Inside lighting did create some "yellow cast" that is not true to life/perceived in natural light with the naked eye.
Of note: There were probably two dozen chicks with these pure white bodies and black markings on the heads and faces, with *some* having black markings on the backs. Like any breed of animal, no two had identical markings, but "close enough" for it to be obvious that they are all of the same "type." I only selected two, because they struck my fancy, but dared not select more not knowing what breed (or possible cross) that they are even though the sharp contrast was very eye-catching. The black pigment does actually appear on the skin around their eyes, but their shanks are a light yellow and they are clean-legged. They do not appear to have muffs, beards, or any protrusions on the skull to indicate unusual combs, crests, or longer feathers that might be "swept back." Their primary wing feathers are beginning to come in and are outlined in white - nixing the notion of a "penciled" or "black laced" variety, while the base colour of the primary feathers appears to be a light grey or grey-blue. Their nostrils are "normal sized", not indicating a Polish or other crested variety. The black markings on their backs have developed a bit more since I first got them, but not much. They aren't "muddled" in colouration. They do _not_ fit the colouration and markings of the standard sized "California White", so I have pretty well ruled that out as well. I'm officially at a loss, especially since the group on the whole was very standardized - either a purebreed or a well-defined and established crossbreed. I've searched the net high and low trying to find pictures of chicks and mature birds alike (even going outside the parameters of "bantams") to try and find any that come anywhere close - to no avail. I'm not going to get my knickers in a wad if I can't ID these chicks before they mature, I don't mind waiting "to see", but as they are now, they pose such a challenge for identification that I am utterly compelled to "reach out" to the poultry community to find out DOES ANYONE HAVE A CLUE?
I'm rather "out of the loop" after many years without fowl so they may be a "new" breed for all I know. Gender isn't really relevant right now, but if anyone has a guess on that as well, fire away.Thanks in advance for your perusal and attempt to ID.
