What breed..?

[Belllucy2007]

Hi, we are new to the hen world, have rescued some hens & chicks, and a cockerel.
just wondered if any of you lovely lot could tell us the breeds? Many thanks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Number one looks to be a Welsumer. That color pattern is known as partridge in some breeds. Though it's called brown in Leghorn I think, but a leghorn would have white ear lobes.

Others look mostly like mixed to me. Maybe an Orpington rooster?

Is that hen blind? Care to share a little about your rescue and what you are feeding currently? How many birds have ya got total in there that you are trying to get breed thoughts on?

Hope they all become a huge blessing in your life!

 

[Alexandra33]

First hen looks to be a Welsummer (red earlobes).
Next picture, the two hens in front remind me a lot of Cream Legbars. Leg color's off, though. Crosses, maybe? Hoping someone else will chime in on this one.
Looking at other angles, the little lady in the background (same one that's the primary bird in pic #7) appears to have a slight crest. Olive Egger (Welsummer X Cream Legbar), perhaps?
Handsome rooster is most likely a mixed breed.

Not terribly sure about the chicks yet. They might have to mature a little more before we can accurately indentify them.

~Alex

 

[EggSighted4Life]

the two hens in front remind me a lot of Cream Legbars. Leg color's off, though. Crosses, maybe? Hoping someone else will chime in on this one.

Did have the same thought cross my mind.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I see a Welsummer, Cream Legbars, and a Splash Orpington.

 

[Alexandra33]

Did have the same thought cross my mind.

Maybe we're onto something!

~Alex

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Welcome to BYC! I'm thinking Welsummer, and Welsummer x Cream Legbar crosses. The rooster looks like an Orpington mix to me.

 

[sevenbabychicks]

Agree with above - welsummer and wel/CL. Are they laying for you yet? That cross should get you olive eggs

Btw, welsummer/cream legbar mixes are a pretty hot commodity - they're going for $26 a pop at MPC and I got one in the mail just yesterday:

https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalo...y-Old-Chicks-Partridge-Olive-Egger-p2234.aspx

(they don't go into detail about the mix on the site, but I've read posts on here that say they're most likely wel/CL)

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Btw, welsummer/cream legbar mixes are a pretty hot commodity - they're going for $26 a pop at MPC and I got one in the mail just yesterday:

Wow, that's pricey. Are they auto sexing?

Well, I looked it up... they will be partridge olive eggers (essentially) that ARE an early generation cross with 1/16th chance of brown eggs it says. That's cool that they have been able to maintain a straight comb, clean face and legs, AND partridge color that will breed true. Guess they are priced cuz they will likely be the only one with them this season. What an easy cross to replicate, I don't blame them for not making cross disclosure, but I think you are correct about the suspected genetic input. I have considered many other crosses that would breed true. It's a fun thing to do.

I personally think people have bumped their heads calling first generation crosses OE. They MAY produce an olive egg... or NOT. BUT... I think I learned something just now.. or at least REALIZED it, about my first gen EE cross Marans by reading that description... I was thinking it could be blue to brown or somewhere in between. But now I remember it will be olive or some shade to brown because of how the shading genetics works. One first gen OE I bought ended up laying darker brown than her other pure Marans sisters.

Those pics of their 1/16 olive eggs... looks a little skewed to me..

Only two of these get the pass as olive in my perception. Though beige like the ones near the top is still kinda cool for variety in the basket.

 

[drumstick diva]

x2