Not blue marans, so what could they be?

[Ajp23]

Hi! These four month old gals were supposed to be blue copper marans. I don’t think that’s the case any ideas? They both have very dark skin, single combs, clean legs. One has never had a tail and the other is now growing one in.

 

[JedJackson]

Maybe Orpington or Australorps.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Hi! These four month old gals were supposed to be blue copper marans. I don’t think that’s the case any ideas? They both have very dark skin, single combs, clean legs. One has never had a tail and the other is now growing one in.

Do ANY of them have tails? They all look rumpless (tail-less), which is a very rare trait generally reserved for Araucanas, a breed they most certainly are not.
So interesting.

 

[FunClucks]

They could have wry tail. It makes them look kind of rumpless. I had an ISA Brown once with wry tail - see my profile pic to the left. She eventually grew in 5, exactly 5, tail feathers in random spots. She looked kinda weird with a rounded rear end and 5 random feathers poking out from different locations on the side of her rear. Great layer though. She passed from old age, sweet as anything, and I still miss her. Never hatched her eggs as the condition is genetic, but they were tasty.

Have you considered production blue, cochin, or maybe they're off standard blue copper marans ( most likely). For my Black copper marans, some had the red/copper necks, and some didn't. You may have gotten a batch of blues that didn't get the copper necks.

But what the heck is up with their tails? Check their bones/spine and see if they actually have a tail bone - if so they have wry tail most likely, if not, they may actually be rumpless, no idea why. Cute chickens! If they have wry tail, I wouldn't breed them.

 

[FunClucks]

Where did you get them from?

 

[Ajp23]

Where did you get them from?

They were from a local feed store and they order from Ideal. They usually are very, very good at labeling and sorting their breeds. Do they even look “blue” though? Their combs are currently charcoal grey, along with their faces and legs. No leg feathers.

As far as I can tell they DO have tail bones but really no tail feathers at all. There’s not a bald spot like you might expect, just lots of fluff and short feathers. I guess I’ll have to see what they end up laying!

 

[Ajp23]

They could have wry tail. It makes them look kind of rumpless. I had an ISA Brown once with wry tail - see my profile pic to the left. She eventually grew in 5, exactly 5, tail feathers in random spots. She looked kinda weird with a rounded rear end and 5 random feathers poking out from different locations on the side of her rear. Great layer though. She passed from old age, sweet as anything, and I still miss her. Never hatched her eggs as the condition is genetic, but they were tasty.

Have you considered production blue, cochin, or maybe they're off standard blue copper marans ( most likely). For my Black copper marans, some had the red/copper necks, and some didn't. You may have gotten a batch of blues that didn't get the copper necks.

But what the heck is up with their tails? Check their bones/spine and see if they actually have a tail bone - if so they have wry tail most likely, if not, they may actually be rumpless, no idea why. Cute chickens! If they have wry tail, I wouldn't breed them.

They seem to have tail bones but no tail feathers ??

 

[FunClucks]

You're right, they're on the charcoal side of gray. Maybe folks familiar with Ideal's offerings will have more ideas.

I still think it could just be bad breeding/off standard characteristics.

Hopefully not.

The tail feathers are often the last to come in.