Surprised with gift chickens...no idea what breed

[Warfrost]

Well...DH and I had a big surprise Tuesday morning when we discovered someone had blessed us with 3 chickens in our garden. Two were (I thought) pullets, and one roo. Well, this was totally unexpected to get chickens with nowhere to put them...so we charged the materials to build a coop at Home Depot, and spent half the day, and most of the night on getting it built(I finally put in the last staple at about 1:30 am).

During the evening, as we were building, my 5 year old son runs out and yells "Mommy! One of the chickens layed an egg!". Of course I'm thinking yeah right...they aren't old enough- but sure enough there it was, a smallish, very light peach colored chicken egg. So, since we had purchased chick starter, I realized we would have to buy laying feed lol.

Anyway, the coop is up, and the ladies and gent seem to be happy...but I have NO idea what breed they are. They are pretty small as chickens go- the hens are maybe the size of a crow, and Boo the roo is a bit bigger. I'm going to(attempt to) post some pics- any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I know some breeds fare better in certain temperature ranges.

PS I LOVE this site! I wouldn't be HALF as prepared as I needed to be if it weren't for the folks here!

 

[Chris09]

They might be Malays I dont think there Aseel...

Chris

 

[silkiechicken]

They kind of look like a game breed... or some asiatic breed of chicken.

Congrats on your new birds!

 

[Judy]

If you already opened the starter, just let them eat it, and go find some oyster shell, and offer it free choice. Starter won't hurt them a bit and the oyster shell will provide the extra calcium they need to make good egg shells.

I'm not the one to ask about breeds. It could be that the small egg is an early egg, and they will get bigger -- or it could be a breed that lays small eggs. Got me. But they sure are pretty!

Since you threw the coop together so fast, I'd just have one precaution to add: I don't know how new you are to this, but many do not realize how much ventilation they need. So here is a website for you:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

If you're way ahead of me, just ignore me.

 

[Warfrost]

Quote:
Thanks Chris...I was afraid of that! The research I have done on Malays says they are poor egg layers...only one a week. I hope that's wrong, but either way, they are cool birds, and my kids are enraptured!

 

[Warfrost]

After doing a bit of googling Malay chickens, I'm not so sure these are, but I think are close. They have almost no comb, and the roo's tail is a lot like a Sebright tail. I hope they aren't Malays- I'd like regular egg laying, and once a week won't do it!

 

[Attack Chicken]

Theres only one thing you can do if their not laying good.....and that is.....Get More Chickens!

 

[Mahonri]

Yup... either Malays or Aseels... asian games

 

[Warfrost]

Quote:
YES!!! I informed DH today that we will be ordering some Ameraucana's on payday hehe He can't refuse me now...we gots a coop n chicken chow!

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Thanks Chris...I was afraid of that! The research I have done on Malays says they are poor egg layers...only one a week. I hope that's wrong, but either way, they are cool birds, and my kids are enraptured!

I have a Malay and yes there not the best layers but if she gos broody slip the eggs to her and use her as a foster mom.. I think there the best hens for careing for there young..
Chris