What breed is this really? Maran or orpington

[sussexmarans]

Our hen Dorris is supposed to be a Maran, but she looks more like a cuckoo orpington. She is developing like a Maran ,27 weeks, still no egg, so we can't tell for sure by the egg colour.
Heres one from behind
The white hen is a light sussex

 

[redsoxs]

Her coloration looks all cuckoo marans but I agree - she seems little poofy in the rear end like an orp. Healthy looking bird!

 

[sussexmarans]

Thanks, i guess i'll have to wait until she starts laying!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Is she a hatchery bird? If so, then she's probably Marans that doesn't meet the SOP. I doubt a hatchery would send a cuckoo Orp (which would be really rare to begin with).

 

[dretd]

Sussexmarans, what a pretty bird you have!

Being as how you are in the UK, the breed standards for Marans are different than in the US. From what I have seen in photos, the UK version seems to have a softer feather. If you were in the US I would guess Orp, but English Orpingtons seen very different than in the US-yours are very fluffy and roundier. I am going to guess that she is a Marans based on your location, here is a link to the Marans club from the UK: http://www.themaransclub.co.uk/#

Definitely wait until she lays an egg to make the final decision of her breed. You may want to post a photo of her on either the Marans (specify you are in England if you do) thread or the English Orpinton thread here and see of you get more experienced folks to help you (that would be someone other than me!).

 

[sussexmarans]

Thanks for the help, will look on the orpington thread.

 

[sussexmarans]

she's started laying, but her eggs are small white eggs, not maran, not orpington, what is it????

 

[sevenbabychicks]

she's started laying, but her eggs are small white eggs, not maran, not orpington, what is it????

Weird! Where did you get her? I've been on the hunt for a round, poofy, white egg layer, but white egg laying breeds all seem to be tight-feathered and scraggly. You're so lucky!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Probably some Marans hybrid

 

[sussexmarans]

maybe, but surely a maran hybrid would lay brown eggs.we have a bluebell (RIR cross maran) and she looks nothing like this weird chicken that has been given unto us . And sevenbabychicks, we got her from a hatchery in england, sorry