was given this. what is it?

[tomcrete]

A friend moved several states away and rehomed his 6 hens to me. I'm rural and have about 50 birds (brahma, marans, with a pair of americuana & rireds). 5 of his hens are large breed that will fit in well (have the new ones quarantined for now) but I'm not sure what this small one is and he couldn't remember but was pretty sure it wasn't a bantam but was a small breed. It strikes me as a modern game in size but not structure. It's not much larger than a turtle dove actually. I'm concerned about it working out in my flock and knowing what breed would help me out. Thanks, Tom

 

[AcornAcres]

Do you know if it's full grown? It looks like it might still be a pullet.

 

[tomcrete]

He's had it for a couple years so full grown.

 

[AcornAcres]

Well, I think it's likely its a bantam...but bantam what is the question.

 

[RodNTN]

If I'm not mistaken (and I might be!) It appears to be a Brown Leghorn bantam.

 

[RodNTN]

Notice the resemblance?

 

[tomcrete]

I see a resemblance but mine has a smaller (pea?) comb and lacks that white ear patch. I can try to get a better pic.
Oh... he did say that this bird does like to get up in high places to roost and would find it in the rafters (don't know what sorta building) but I haven't seen that yet. I've only had it a few days.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

That looks like a Silver Duckwing Old English Game Bantam Hen. She does have a single comb. But she isn't a brown leghorn. As for fitting in, the bigger ones will Probably pick on smaller ones. They kind of learn to stay out of the way, but you need to make sure she has enough room to escape. It would probably make her happy if you got some other bantams her size, for company, so she isn't so lonely, being the outcast. You'll need to make sure she can get into the feed and water. Do your chickens free range, or have a run or something? She would probably be okay to get the water and food, if the other chickens go outside or something.

 

[Gray Farms]

Agreed, Silver Duckwing Old English Game Bantam.

 

[tomcrete]

Thanks for the identification help! I did 4 incubations (of the brahma) over the spring/summer and work the younger ones into the flock after they start feathering. I do keep my eye on them during the transition and everyone seems to adjust after some minor peeking ordering. They stay in a coop during most of the day but free range in the evenings & weekends when I'm around as we do have the full range of rural predators. I'll be culling before winter so there will be less birds when there is less daylight (& less free ranging). A concern that I have is our dog She's learned to leave the chickens alone & is reasonably well behaved but the couple of times she's taken a chicken, it's always been a small one. Between the dog & the predators, I'm disinclined to add small chickens so may just treat her like all the others & see how it goes. Another option would be to keep her confined more as a pet but she seems to like having room to roam.