One of these things is not like the others??!!

[superchemicalgirl]

Hi guys, please help my curiosity! I ordered (among many other things) 2 barred rock females and 1 cuckoo marans female from MMH. The only problem is, of the 3 chickens (that I am 99% sure are these 3 chickens), none of them look alike. I realize hatchery stock isn't the best but I'd expect "similar" looking chickens of the same breed (as the other multiples that I ordered look similar). Now I'm worried that I either got the wrong thing or (horror) one of the BRs is a boy.

They are 3.5 weeks old today.

Thanks for playing!

 

[tinychicky]

the one with the most barring is the one who molted first- the others may not develope their barring till later as they have not yet finished the molt that will begin to bar their feathers. don't worry, hen and roo BR's feathers look about the same as chicks-a roo would also have a larger comb by now.... good luck with the new girls!!!

 

[Red&Yellow]

Yes, nothing to worry about.

I believe the first bird is the Maran, as cuckoo looks less 'lined' than barring. IMO.

 

[klf73]

marans are supposed to have white legs whiles rocks have yellow

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Thanks! I'll check the legs when I get home and put on my best patience hat.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I've attached the legs for your viewing pleasure and to confirm that #1 is the cuckoo marans.

Also a question - someone responded that the one with the most barring is the one that molted first... these chicks are 3.5 WEEKS old, no molt here - this is how they feathered out. Still a possibility that all are hens *crosses fingers*?

 

[Red&Yellow]

Yeah, that third one is funny, but I see little bits of grayish-white on her feathers....you've got NO roos.

 

[KenCoesta]

Yeah, the second one is totally the Cuckoo Maran.
I recently got two from a guy in Englewood, TN.
They looks EGGS-actly like yours (I couldn't help myself!).

Can't wait for them chocolate eggs!
Wanna race?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Could you post a picture of your cuckoo maran chick for comparison?

I'm already counting down the days to eggs, you're on! Although chick #2 (the most barred one) is one of the chicks on my roo-dar as his/her feathered in much more slowly than the others and still has much less volume and quantity of tail feathers currently.

 

[KenCoesta]

I'll get some pics up later today.