Some newbie questions about gender identification

[MrsSchwarz]

Hi all,

I’m sorry to post some possible rudimentary questions, but google is killing me with all the possibilities and what if’s.

I have 10 eight week old chicks bought as pullets from the local feed store. I realize there is a chance I’ll have at least one roo, but I’m noticing at least half of my chicks have spur buds. I also understand even hens have buds and could develop spurs with age, so I’m only very mildly concerned by that, but I have two birds I’m watching for characteristics and behavior.

No one is crowing yet or even making a sound I would recognize as an attempt, but two seem to think themselves very important and have seemed to be bumping/herding the others from the very beginning. The Ameraucana likes to hang out mostly in the coop and typically stays away from me, while the black one is more watchful and often runs up as if to greet me. The black one is also much more attentive if I am holding one of the other chicks. Could you help out with these two? I tried to get the best pics I could this morning, but if more are needed please let me know.

 

[andreanar]

I see pretty pullets. The "ameracauna" is an Easter Egger that will hopefully give you some pretty blueish greenish eggs! The top hen will usually be very watchful and can be bossier.

 

[Chickassan]

Two little ladies, the orangeish one is loveley.

 

[MrsSchwarz]

I see pretty pullets. The "ameracauna" is an Easter Egger that will hopefully give you some pretty blueish greenish eggs! The top hen will usually be very watchful and can be bossier.

What is the difference between Ameraucana and Easter Egger? I thought one was an actual breed and the other was a mix. I know I ordered (and paid extra) for Ameraucana’s, but you’re not the first to tell me that’s not what I have.

 

[Chickassan]

From what I see the orangish one does fit standards and would be classified as brown/red. The black one does not fit standard no beard, no muffs, and her color isn't correct. To be considered ameracauna muffs and beard have to be present, color must be correct and leg color must be correct blue to nearly black and they must lay blue eggs If not they are considerd easter eggers. Easter eggers also does refer to any variety of mixes that produce colored eggs. This is my understanding of it at least.

What is the difference between Ameraucana and Easter Egger? I thought one was an actual breed and the other was a mix. I know I ordered (and paid extra) for Ameraucana’s, but you’re not the first to tell me that’s not what I have.

 

[MrsSchwarz]

From what I see the orangish one does fit standards and would be classified as brown/red. The black one does not fit standard no beard, no muffs, and her color isn't correct. To be considered ameracauna muffs and beard have to be present, color must be correct and leg color must be correct blue to nearly black and they must lay blue eggs If not they are considerd easter eggers. Easter eggers also does refer to any variety of mixes that produce colored eggs. This is my understanding of it at least.

Oh! Well that makes sense, the black one is either a Black Star or an Australorp. I have 2 each of those as well as 2 each of NH Reds, Buff Orpingtons and Ameraucanas. I feel better hearing that, thanks!

 

[JedJackson]

From what I see the orangish one does fit standards and would be classified as brown/red. The black one does not fit standard no beard, no muffs, and her color isn't correct. To be considered ameracauna muffs and beard have to be present, color must be correct and leg color must be correct blue to nearly black and they must lay blue eggs If not they are considerd easter eggers. Easter eggers also does refer to any variety of mixes that produce colored eggs. This is my understanding of it at least.

No, that is an Easter egger pullet and the other pullet is probably a black sex link. These are brown/red Ameraucanas:

 

[andreanar]

Your black is not Australorp. Black Lorps have no orange bleeding thru, but are pure black with a sheen to the feathers. Maybe a black sex link. Here is my Black lorp and EE that looks just like yours.

 

[MrsSchwarz]

Your black is not Australorp. Black Lorps have no orange bleeding thru, but are pure black with a sheen to the feathers. Maybe a black sex link. Here is my Black lorp and EE that looks just like yours. View attachment 1464006

View attachment 1464009

Perfect, then it is a Black Star/sex link and I shouldn’t have worried about it being a boy at all. I have 2 Australorp too, but somewhere along the line got confused as to which coloring was which bird. Good thing I never had twin children

 

[MrsSchwarz]

No, that is an Easter egger pullet and the other pullet is probably a black sex link. These are brown/red Ameraucanas:View attachment 1463985

Jed maybe you can define the difference for me? I’m getting conflicting reports everywhere I ask, including google, but as I said earlier I ordered specifically Ameraucana and was assured that’s what I would receive. Many are saying I’ve got Easter Eggers specifically because I didn’t go directly to the farm to get them. I chose the place I ordered them from because of its great reputation as I had heard this could be a concern and I wanted to be sure of what I was getting.