Need help identifying what breed of chickens we have.

[BantamLover21]

The white and black one has a single comb. The last picture, the man we got them from were calling them sussex. They have yellowish legs and single combs I believe, so Pele is saying barred rocks? So I dunno

Do you think the first one might be a welsummer? And what characteristics decifers between an easter egger and ameraucana? I'll get a better shot of the blue ameraucana's head tomorrow. Did you see any possible boys? In the last picture, it's hard to see, the chicken on the left has some curling in it's tail feathers compared to the other. So I don't know what that is about.

Thanks BantamLover21 and Pele!

Now that I think of it, that bird probably is a Light Sussex. Light Sussex have yellow legs, the Columbian color, and single combs.

The first one is probably not a Welsummer. Welsummers have darker, more vibrant coloring and a single comb. The bird in the photo appears to have a rose comb or some combination of combs. Also, the bird's type (body shape) is not that of a Welsummer; it should be deeper and not as long in the back. It almost looks like some sort of Cubalaya or game bird cross.

Easter Eggers are any combination of breeds that produce colored eggs (green, blue, brown, pink, etc.), and have Ameraucana or Aracauna ancestors. Most have pea combs, a beard and muffs, and greenish legs. EEs can come in any color pattern, though a kind of partridge color is one of the more common types. Most hatchery "Ameraucanas" are actually Easter Eggers.

The Ameraucana is a purebred breed of chicken that is recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA). Ameraucanas come in 8 recognized (there are a few varieties that aren't yet recognized, but that breeders are working on) varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaten, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaten, and White. They must have muffs and a beard, a pea comb, blue-slate colored legs, reddish-bay colored eyes, and be one of the recognized color patterns to be considered a purebred, show-quality Ameraucana.

There are two of your birds that may be pure-bred Ameraucanas: the black one and the blue one. To me (I'm not an Ameraucana expert), they appear to have all of the necessary Ameraucana qualities (leg color, pea comb, variety, etc.), but since EE's can come in so many different colors, it is difficult to be sure.

But all in all, you have a nice-looking flock. No roosters that I can see.

 

[ChicksNQuails]

I was thinking that one is a light sussex also. What color eggs do you think she will lay? I doubt any of them are purebred ameraucanas. The man we got them from said he likes to mix up his chickens. He thinks they are healthier that way.

Thanks for the insight! I'm really excited to see what color eggs we are going to get. I'm going to turn into the crazy chicken lady who stalks her chickens in order to find out who laid what! We had a few roosters, but the man told us to just bring them back and he'll trade them in for hen. So nice of him. We had to trade in 4 roosters!

 

[ChicksNQuails]

Oh I forgot to mention. I think the black ameraucana might be a mix with an australorp because of the blue/green tint to it's feathers. Maybe the same with the 4th chicken(black with a brown head) That one has some blue/green tint too. What do you think?

 

[K Spot]

I was thinking that one is a light sussex also. What color eggs do you think she will lay?

I have two Light Sussex and a Speckled Sussex - they lay a light beige egg.

Having said that, Light Sussex should have a lot more bold, black neck feathers than what your bird possesses, so she may not be a pure LS.

Having said that, she may be a hatchery quality LS.

 

[BantamLover21]

I was thinking that one is a light sussex also. What color eggs do you think she will lay? I doubt any of them are purebred ameraucanas. The man we got them from said he likes to mix up his chickens. He thinks they are healthier that way.

Thanks for the insight! I'm really excited to see what color eggs we are going to get. I'm going to turn into the crazy chicken lady who stalks her chickens in order to find out who laid what! We had a few roosters, but the man told us to just bring them back and he'll trade them in for hen. So nice of him. We had to trade in 4 roosters!

Light Sussex lay brown eggs that are generally good-sized. Whether your black/blue birds are Ameraucanas or not, they will most likely lay blue, green, or pink colored eggs. Your White Leghorn will lay white eggs, and most of your other hens will lay brown or greenish eggs. I think your egg basket will be very nice and colorful.

You could be right, but almost all black birds have a lustrous sheen to their feathers. The Australorp is just one of the shiniest breeds. Therefore, having a blue/green tint doesn't necessarily mean that they are crossed with an Australorp, just that they are in good health. All of your hens look to be in good condition, which explains the beautiful plumage.

 

[joshbparker]

The black ones with the green/blue feather colors look kinda like my Black Sex Link.......

 

[ChicksNQuails]

The man we got them from said the black ones are black sex link mix. We just have a mixed of everything in our flock!

 

[ChicksNQuails]

Update......#4 laid a green egg this week!! How did ya know?

Some one else starting laying green eggs yesterday. I stalked the chickens today, and found #4 in the nesting box, but the other one did a sneak lay while we were eating lunch! Sneaky little chicky. Will let ya know who it is, hopefully tomorrow.