New to hatching with "Backyard Mix" of Chicks

[redinator]

I have 6 new chicks and I have some guesses on breeds based on day old chick pics and looking over breed characteristics.

All chicks have three toes in the front and one in the back and only the black/cream chicks have black and orange feet; the rest are straight orange. The only two that have feathered feet are the ones with a "chipmunk pattern". The yellow chick hatched from a large white egg, the rest hatched from brown eggs of varying shades and sizes. I think all are female except the yellow chick, but that could just be wishful thinking.

Here are my guesses

1) The yellow chick I believe to be male because it's the biggest and bravest of the brood. It also loves attention and looks me straight in the eye whenever I'm in the room. I couldn't nail down a breed though since yellow chicks seem to be pretty common.

2-4) The black and cream chicks I believe to Black Sex-Linked females. The cream color runs from just under their beaks all the way down their bellies. They also have a bit of orange on their beaks, which I'm starting to use to be able to tell them apart. These three are flighty and prefer not to be handled (still working on it).

5) The first of the two w a chipmunk pattern has a fluffier down than the rest which makes me think it might be a Frizzled Easter Egger. It is a feisty little thing, it will run when I put my hand in the brooder, but will "attack" as I'm pulling my hand out. It's cute now, but could be a problem when it gets bigger, any tips?

6) The second of the two w a chipmunk pattern is just too cute for words, it makes me sad that she'll lose that pattern as she ages. I'm thinking either Easter Egger or Crele Old English Bantam. I'm leaning more towards the bantam because of the blaze of black across the eyes. It is sweet, but timid, likes to be held but I have move slow or she panics.

I'm aware it's also possible they're all hybrids and I may never know for sure, it's just fun to guess.

I should also mention they're thee days old today and starting to get wing tips. They grow up so fast

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[redinator]

Welcome to BYC!

Thanks, nice to be among other 'bird brains' as my dad has started to call me, lol.

 

[Chubbicthe2nd]

How are your chicks? Do you still think they are the breeds you guessed? Was the plucky yellow chick a cockerell after all?

 

[redinator]

How are your chicks? Do you still think they are the breeds you guessed? Was the plucky yellow chick a cockerell after all?

They turned 7 weeks today. The plucky yellow chick was indeed a male, a white leghorn and had to be rehomed since he became abusive (not just dominant) to the other chicks. He was rehomed with a friend and has become a favorite of his kids.

Of the 3 black and cream chicks, one didn't make it past two weeks. I noticed it wasn't keeping up with the other chicks there's a thread here if you'd like to read it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-have-a-constant-peeper-in-the-bunch.1652464/.

The other two couldn't look more different now
This is pot: presumably female
And this is Kettle: almost certain male

The two "chipmunk stripped" chicks are also presumably female.
This is Tazzy:

and this little lovely is Sweety: she is my shoulder bird, lol.

These pics are from when they were six weeks old. There are only two real differences since these were taken. Kettle, the male black chick, has developed some iridescent feathering on his back just above his tail feathers and Tazzy, the sandy colored chick, has developed some rust colored feathers on her wings. I'll be updating their pictures next week when they turn 8 weeks and see if the thoughts on genders/breeds have changed since the last thread.

 

[Mamahenof3]

I have 6 new chicks and I have some guesses on breeds based on day old chick pics and looking over breed characteristics.

All chicks have three toes in the front and one in the back and only the black/cream chicks have black and orange feet; the rest are straight orange. The only two that have feathered feet are the ones with a "chipmunk pattern". The yellow chick hatched from a large white egg, the rest hatched from brown eggs of varying shades and sizes. I think all are female except the yellow chick, but that could just be wishful thinking.

Here are my guesses

View attachment 4048744View attachment 4048749View attachment 4048752View attachment 4048750

1) The yellow chick I believe to be male because it's the biggest and bravest of the brood. It also loves attention and looks me straight in the eye whenever I'm in the room. I couldn't nail down a breed though since yellow chicks seem to be pretty common.

2-4) The black and cream chicks I believe to Black Sex-Linked females. The cream color runs from just under their beaks all the way down their bellies. They also have a bit of orange on their beaks, which I'm starting to use to be able to tell them apart. These three are flighty and prefer not to be handled (still working on it).

5) The first of the two w a chipmunk pattern has a fluffier down than the rest which makes me think it might be a Frizzled Easter Egger. It is a feisty little thing, it will run when I put my hand in the brooder, but will "attack" as I'm pulling my hand out. It's cute now, but could be a problem when it gets bigger, any tips?

6) The second of the two w a chipmunk pattern is just too cute for words, it makes me sad that she'll lose that pattern as she ages. I'm thinking either Easter Egger or Crele Old English Bantam. I'm leaning more towards the bantam because of the blaze of black across the eyes. It is sweet, but timid, likes to be held but I have move slow or she panics.

I'm aware it's also possible they're all hybrids and I may never know for sure, it's just fun to guess.

I should also mention they're thee days old today and starting to get wing tips. They grow up so fast

Absolutely so fun to watch them grow and guess! The only thing you would be able to know pretty for sure would be if you had a bantam, they are much smaller than standard breeds right from the start. Fluffy chipmunk pattern looks like she has a fluffy face, so probably an Easter egger! Keep posting as they grow

 

[Mamahenof3]

Absolutely so fun to watch them grow and guess! The only thing you would be able to know pretty for sure would be if you had a bantam, they are much smaller than standard breeds right from the start. Fluffy chipmunk pattern looks like she has a fluffy face, so probably an Easter egger! Keep posting as they grow

just saw the update!