Nessie needs an ID

[Buckeye Amy]

This is Nessie, a hen we adopted from a coworker who was planning to butcher her along with 7 BAs. I offered to take them all off his hands and he happily agreed! Unfortunately, the dominant hen of the flock (a Black Star) wont tolerate her. We set up a cat carrier for her in the barn with feed and water and she sleeps in the carrier, and even puts herself to bed each night. She seems very clever and quickly learned our routine.

I was hoping to find out what breed she is. She is very soft feathered and very densely feathered like a Welsummer. The stripes are screaming “PBR” so I’m wondering do I have a Welbar here? I know they are very rare. I can’t ask the guy I got her from because he didn’t buy her as a chick. She wandered into his yard one day and hung out with his flock. When he opened the door to the run she went in to be with the others. So her origin is a mystery.

Here are some photos of Nessie. She lays about 5 dark brown eggs each week so I think she’s only 2 or 3. Thanks for looking!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She looks to be a mix breed.

 

[sekeyslaks]

Wow she is soooo fluffy!very cute. She looks like a Beilefelder hen to me!but with her origin being a mystery she could very well be a cross too.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Wow she is soooo fluffy!very cute. She looks like a Beilefelder hen to me!but with her origin being a mystery she could very well be a cross too.

She is super fluffy! She has such a nice personality too. We really like her!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My guess on breeds would be a barred rock crossed with a buff Orpington.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

My guess on breeds would be a barred rock crossed with a buff Orpington.

I think Welsummer is in the mix because she lays dark brown eggs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think Welsummer is in the mix because she lays dark brown eggs.

Or could be barnevelder, or marans too.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Or could be barnevelder, or marans too.

If a cuckoo Marans was the father, would she still be barred? I know next to nothing about chicken genetics except that PBR Roos crossed with solid hens creates barred offspring. At least that’s how I understand it.

In this part of Ohio Marans are not popular. Also, her eggs are not deep chocolate brown. They are dark brown, but bot super dark. She is a very pretty hen and it doesn’t really matter in the end what she is. But it sure would be nice to know for sure!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not really good with genetics either, so I'm just guessing some breeds that might fit.