Please help me identify these two

[Drew787]

I just bought these two supposed hens from a big breeder. They were in a pen with probably around 50 others and I basically had to point them out as they ran buy to indicate which two I wanted. I was told that they were both laying hens around 8 months old, which even with my limited knowledge does not seem to be accurate. From what I have learned they seem closer to maybe 4 or 5 months? I am also beginning to have concerns that the black and red one might be a rooster? Would you all please help me identify what breed/breeds you think these two are as well as their gender? Any help would be greatly appreciated. We have had them for about a week now and have really enjoyed them and they are warming up to us very nicely, I just wouldn't be comfortable tempting my neighbors with a rooster at this time. Thank you in advance though!

 

[Johnn]

I just bought these two supposed hens from a big breeder. They were in a pen with probably around 50 others and I basically had to point them out as they ran buy to indicate which two I wanted. I was told that they were both laying hens around 8 months old, which even with my limited knowledge does not seem to be accurate. From what I have learned they seem closer to maybe 4 or 5 months? I am also beginning to have concerns that the black and red one might be a rooster? Would you all please help me identify what breed/breeds you think these two are as well as their gender? Any help would be greatly appreciated. We have had them for about a week now and have really enjoyed them and they are warming up to us very nicely, I just wouldn't be comfortable tempting my neighbors with a rooster at this time. Thank you in advance though!

If they are as old as you think and what the breeder says, then they are girls. The brown one looks like a Black Tail. Also if looks like it has feathers missing on her back, has she been in with a cockerel? If so, it will be mating damage. If not I would check her for lice. The just looks like a mix breed

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am guessing they are pullets. They look to be crosses as far as I can tell but I am not sure.

 

[Johnn]

I think the one on the left is a Columbian Black Tail:

 

[Drew787]

Yea, they were all mixed up so I was sure they were basically mutts, which doesn't bother me or anything. About the brown one with the tail feathers, I did not even notice until I got her home and began looking them over more thoroughly. That picture is from the first day I got them and she has begun to grow some more small feathers in that area. I fortunately have not seen any lice on her, do you guys think it might be possible there was some fighting going on in their pen that caused the loss of her tail feathers? I appreciate your input very much, thank you!

 

[Johnn]

Yea, they were all mixed up so I was sure they were basically mutts, which doesn't bother me or anything. About the brown one with the tail feathers, I did not even notice until I got her home and began looking them over more thoroughly. That picture is from the first day I got them and she has begun to grow some more small feathers in that area. I fortunately have not seen any lice on her, do you guys think it might be possible there was some fighting going on in their pen that caused the loss of her tail feathers? I appreciate your input very much, thank you!

If they are growing back she probably doesn't have lice. If it was a crowded pen it could be feather pecking but its most likely mating damage if there was any cockerels. Maybes you should put her on growers pellets or start giving her some scrambled egg if you have some spare eggs. The higher protein will make her feathers grow back quicker

 

[Drew787]

Thanks for that photo Johnn! That does look like a pretty accurate assumption, I actually had not heard of that breed in my small amount of research thus far, so that is an interesting consideration and a pretty chicken.

 

[Johnn]

Thanks for that photo Johnn! That does look like a pretty accurate assumption, I actually had not heard of that breed in my small amount of research thus far, so that is an interesting consideration and a pretty chicken.

Heard that they are great layers Your girl probably will be when she gets her feathers back!

 

[Drew787]

Alright cool! They had their alleged pullets and cockerels separated but by making a quick assessment of the place I would not be surprised the least if some of them got mixed in together. There are definitely many new, small feathers growing in but I will try to aid with some more protein if you all think that would be best. Thanks again for the input.

 

[Johnn]

Alright cool! They had their alleged pullets and cockerels separated but by making a quick assessment of the place I would not be surprised the least if some of them got mixed in together. There are definitely many new, small feathers growing in but I will try to aid with some more protein if you all think that would be best. Thanks again for the input.

Let me know how they get on!