needing help on determining the breed of my hen

[Poultrybreeder]

If you're looking for variety, Easter Eggers could be good, they lay many colors of eggs, however they are hybrids between Ameraucanas, and some other breed, it could be pretty much anything

 

[Gray Farms]

Its cheaper in the long run just to spend the money for pullets than buying straight run. By the time you buy twice as many chicks at ST to "hopefully'' get you desired number of pullets, feed all them out till an accurately sexable age. Then rehome the boys. Then to realize you should have just bought pullets to start with.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Its cheaper in the long run just to spend the money for pullets than buying straight run. By the time you buy twice as many chicks at ST to "hopefully'' get you desired number of pullets, feed all them out till an accurately sexable age. Then rehome the boys. Then to realize you should have just bought pullets to start with.

X2

 

[Leighe]

View attachment 1100385 View attachment 1100386 Hi all,
I'm new to this site and relatively inexperienced in raising chickens. We always had them growing up and now that I have children of my own I think it would be a good way for us to spend time together. Long story short I have a chicken that showed up out of nowhere and is now calling my yard her home. She's very mild mannered and I would like to get some more of her but I'm not exactly sure what breed she is. I've included a few pictures. Any help would be appreciated
Sincerely,
Matt

Welcome Matt @Ptrow86 to BYC. You are one lucky man to have a sweet lady decide to pick you for her protection! I have Red sexlinks and even though I have had chickens for 3 years...I can't tell the difference between Production Reds, Cinnamon Queens, Red Sexlinks, Gold Sexlinks, ISA Browns or Rhode Island Reds! There may be more that I don't even know about. I have do doubt there are many differences between them all but I haven't reached that level of genius yet. I'm still workin on if its a roo or hen. So far I've missed on most of them....ugh. There are many chickens who are great layers. You're gonna have fun picking them out and raising them, but more importantly your children will learn compassion, where food comes from, gentleness, loving and taking care of another (responsibility) and the circle of life (which can be painful sometimes). We are here to encourage, support, laugh and cry with ya'll.....welcome to the family.

 

[Ptrow86]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have learned quite a bit from being on here for for only a few hours. The experience it will give my kids will be amazing. They are animal lovers just like me, but I would like to get a few meat chickens just so they have appreciation for where their food comes from. I was thinking a few jersey giants mixed in but they take a while to mature and I don't want the kids to get too attatched in the mean time. Having trouble picking out a meat breed. The main thing I'm looking for is egg layers though. I have heard that sex links have a short lifespan/egg producing period. What are your thoughts on that

Welcome Matt @Ptrow86 to BYC. You are one lucky man to have a sweet lady decide to pick you for her protection! I have Red sexlinks and even though I have had chickens for 3 years...I can't tell the difference between Production Reds, Cinnamon Queens, Red Sexlinks, Gold Sexlinks, ISA Browns or Rhode Island Reds! There may be more that I don't even know about. I have do doubt there are many differences between them all but I haven't reached that level of genius yet. I'm still workin on if its a roo or hen. So far I've missed on most of them....ugh. There are many chickens who are great layers. You're gonna have fun picking them out and raising them, but more importantly your children will learn compassion, where food comes from, gentleness, loving and taking care of another (responsibility) and the circle of life (which can be painful sometimes). We are here to encourage, support, laugh and cry with ya'll.....welcome to the family.

at

 

[Cel45]

If you're looking for variety, Easter Eggers could be good, they lay many colors of eggs, however they are hybrids between Ameraucanas, and some other breed, it could be pretty much anything

As I understand it, EE's are not a hybrid between Ameraucanas and something, but rather the bird Ameraucanas were refined from to meet the SOP.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

As I understand it, EE's are not a hybrid between Ameraucanas and something, but rather the bird Ameraucanas were refined from to meet the SOP.

Easter Eggers are a hybrid. Ameraucanas lay only blue eggs, whereas Easter Eggers may lay Blue, Green, Pink, and occasionally Yellow eggs. Easter Eggers have the blue egg laying gene from Ameraucanas or Araucanas, and therefore may lay blue eggs like the pure bird. Ameraucanas and Araucanas are registered as an official breed, Easter Eggers are not, and will be disqualified in a show. Here is some more information about Easter Eggers http://www.familiesraisingchickens.com/Easter-Egg-Chickens.html

 

[Ptrow86]

Easter Eggers are a hybrid. Ameraucanas lay only blue eggs, whereas Easter Eggers may lay Blue, Green, Pink, and occasionally Yellow eggs. Easter Eggers have the blue egg laying gene from Ameraucanas or Araucanas, and therefore may lay blue eggs like the pure bird. Ameraucanas and Araucanas are registered as an official breed, Easter Eggers are not, and will be disqualified in a show. Here is some more information about Easter Eggers http://www.familiesraisingchickens.com/Easter-Egg-Chickens.html

So I pulled the trigger and got some Australops, a "polish mix" , black sex links, and Easter eggers

 

[Poultrybreeder]

Nice

 

[Ptrow86]

Nice

Have you owned any australaps? I figured they would be a good dual purpose bird. I would like a few meat birds just to teach my children the responsibility of eating meat I'm curious as to how these breeds will get along together