What breed is our free chick from mcmurray ?

[sararoni]

Might be an Old English Game or Phoenix.

He really looks like the picture of chicks they have online for both these breeds. They are so similar, I hope he is the former though

 

[sararoni]

Do you know if mcmurray hatchery will keep the cold hardiness of your zone in mind when sending the mystery chick?
It is Chicago here and it really gets cold in winter.

 

[Rowsdower]

It's most likely an OEGB. It looks like my silver duckwings do at that age.

 

[sararoni]

It's most likely an OEGB.  It looks like my silver duckwings do at that age.

What is an OEGB? Old English game?

 

[Rowsdower]

Sorry, Old English Game Bantam.

 

[sararoni]

Sorry, Old English Game Bantam.

I never thought about this breed for our backyard but I am reading that people love them. I showed my 7 years old that fought to keep the chick the picture of a grown up rooster and she said WOW...

 

[Rowsdower]

I never thought about this breed for our backyard but I am reading that people love them. I showed my 7 years old that fought to keep the chick the picture of a grown up rooster and she said WOW...

They are great little birds. Mine are the friendliest in my flock. Every time someone comes over that has chickens, they try to take them home.

 

[Rowsdower]

I just wanted to add that a lot of hatcheries do not vent sex bantams, so there is a decent chance that your little one is NOT a rooster. He/she actually looks pretty girly to me. You should know soon enough if it is a silver duckwing. The males feather in entirely different colors.

 

[sararoni]

I just wanted to add that a lot of hatcheries do not vent sex bantams, so there is a decent chance that your little one is NOT a rooster.  He/she actually looks pretty girly to me.  You should know soon enough if it is a silver duckwing.  The males feather in entirely different colors.

That would be awesome if it is a girl as I have 6 more straight run chicks that my friend gave me, so I might end up with more than 1 rooster. Even keeping one would be a challenge in the small place we have, next to a busy street and lots of neighbours around. With the kids on board the idea of a pretty rooster is sounding appealing though.
I also just heard from Mcmurray hatchery. They say they don't check the cold hardiness when selecting the free chick. They have a breed every week and get one chick from the box. So same breed goes to Chicago and Florida. I hope he is cold hardy now as well as a she

 

[luckyshamrock23]

i have found that with some hatcheries the"free bonus chick" is just a convenient way of getting rid of unwanted/needed roos lol