These chickens are not true Barred rocks right? I bought them from Rural King as 3 day old chicks in February 2023. Supposedly from Mt. Healthy.

[Chipmunk Chicks]

I've observed a few things in working retail and other jobs for 46 years, and that is to be cautious when 'kids' and other young people profess their knowledge. Now wait a minute, don't blast me - I'm not bashing young people who truly DO know what they're talking about (and there are plenty who could teach me a few things!). I've just noticed that many young people, often in low-paying starter jobs, are very eager to appear knowledgeable and helpful, to not only impress their customers and their boss, but also for the boost to their own still-developing self-esteem. Their eagerness to please and not appear 'dumb' in front of older folks often overrides the common sense of knowing when to admit you do NOT know it all.

Life advice to young folks: It's OKAY to say "I don't know the answer to that." You won't look dumb; you'll actually get MORE respect for being honest. "I don't know the answer, but let's find someone who does" works wonders, and might actually prevent your customer from making a huge mistake, losing money, or becoming angry - or all three.

There, I feel better now. That's twice in one hour I've vented about something. Carry on!!!

Exactly. This is how DH ended up bringing home SGEs instead of FWMs. The kid *insisted* he knew which chicks were the Marans. If there even were any Marans. Sigh.

 

[house1917]

Not to be a rain cloud, but...

The one cockerel does have feathering like a Bielefelder but the other cockerel and pullets do not. Some of the Meyer hatchery grey ranger broiler cockerels look eerily like Bielefelders...

Bielefelder pullets should have brown/dark brown bodies and tails, and one of the other cockerels has a white head rather than gold.

Plus the sheer size of them at eight weeks even compared with a big bird like Bielefelders is amazing.

My guess would be rainbow rangers, and the farm store employees made a big whoops in advice and/or which sign they put on the chicks.

Totally want to be wrong, if they're broilers at least you're two months into Spring and can get some laying hen chicks just with a little bit of a late start...

 

[Kathy Coan]

They could be Golden Cuckoo Marans maybe? Or Black Sex Link males. The hatchery doesn’t appear to carry any barred meat birds.

I am starting to agree with you. As I have been on the hunt to find out the breed of my chicks. They do seem to be Golden Cuckoo Marans. I will not be for certain until we get eggs from the girls.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Marans have white skin, while your birds have yellow skin, look at their shanks. They are not Marans, either. I still think they're some kind of meat hybrid, personally.

 

[Kathy Coan]

Yes I noticed that too. I am puzzled. They are very sweet both the roosters and the hens. I have never had chickens get this big so quickly. I had raised Cornish crosses once, and I don't remember them being this big at 8 weeks. They were big but these seem bigger.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I have found out what breed this is from Mt. Healthy

wow beautiful bird

 

[Kathy Coan]

Thank You

 

[Kathy Coan]

Ok I have done some investigating and have come to the conclusion that the breed of chickens I have are a combination of silver cuckoo marans and copper cuckoo marans. I contacted the manager at Rural King who confirmed that they purchase their chicks from Hoover Hatcheries. They only purchase pullets. I have researched Hoover Hatcheries website and this must be the colored egg layer special. They say the day of hatch determines the breed or breeds. They have yellow with black on their legs. Possibly poorly bred but I do believe these are what I have.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If they’re from Hoovers and not Mt Healthy that opens up more possibilities.

They could be these. Coloring is right.

https://hoovershatchery.com/royalgreybroiler.html

https://hoovershatchery.com/bbqspecial.html

 

[Kathy Coan]

If they’re from Hoovers and not Mt Healthy that opens up more possibilities.

They could be these. Coloring is right.

https://hoovershatchery.com/royalgreybroiler.html

https://hoovershatchery.com/bbqspecial.html

Possibly but as babies they were black with white dot on head and Rural King stated they only buy pullets. The egg layer special seems more likely. I am not sure if I will ever find out until they start laying eggs. It's a fluke that I got 2 roosters. I sent an email to Hoovers to see if I can pin it down more.