Hi! Thanks for allowing me to join your chicken world. I used to run a horse farm in SC and had hired hens - guineas - to work in my fields. You would have never convinced me pre-guinea that I would be a bird woman, but the person who said it was an addiction was right. I did all kinds of research on what type of chick I wanted and then bought "Black Orpintons" during Chick Week at Rural King. They are now about 3 weeks old, appear healthy and happy - but are feathering out with white tips. They probably aren't black orps, are they? So now, not only am I looking forward to picking your brains about care, but have to figure out what breed they might be so I can meet their needs. If I attach a photo, can someone tell me what they might be?? Trada in Wildwood, Fl
Hello and Welcome To BYC! Do you know what hatchery the store got their chicks from? It's a common color, Black Australorps are a lot more common in stores than Black Orpingtons, Feathersite has pictures of both as chicks if you want to check out their pictures http://feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Orps/BRKOrps.html
Looks like Black Australorps. You will love this breed. They are a very enjoyable bird to keep. Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!
Thanks for the tip - I will head back over there this week and ask. They did have separate brooders for australorps and barred rocks, also. It doesn't really matter what I've got, since I just love them - but I would like to know. I will go explore the site you suggested and see what I can find. They are sort of in an ugly stage right now... lol... half fuzz and half feather.... and faces only a mother could love!
