What is he?

[Jetlander]

I think I have figured out what my free rare chick from McMurray is. I just need confirmation. I think he is a White Faced Black Spanish. What's your opinon?

 

[Poultry Palace]

Could be, but it looks just like the black australorp that i got from mcmurray.

 

[Jetlander]

I see the resemblance, but would McMurray give that as a "rare chick"?

 

[keljonma]

Yes, it does resemble a White Face Black Spanish. What age is your bird? I can maybe match the pic up with one of our chicks, Eleanor, who is a WFBS.



The White Face Black Spanish IS a rare bird. According to the ALBC, this breed is in Critical status.

http://albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#chickens

The ALBC breed census satisfies numerical guidelines:

Critical: Fewer than 500 breeding birds in the United States, with five or fewer primary breeding flocks (50 birds or more), and globally endangered.

Threatened: Fewer than 1,000 breeding birds in the United States, with seven orfewer primary breeding flocks, and globally endangered.

Watch: Fewer than 5,000 breeding birds in the United States, with ten or fewer primary breeding flocks, and globally endangered. Also included are breeds with genetic or numerical concerns or limited geographic distribution.

Recovering: Breeds that were once listed in another category and have exceeded Watch category numbers but are still in need of monitoring.

Study: Breeds that are of interest but either lack definition or lack genetic or historical documentation.

 

[Jetlander]

He is exactly 4 weeks old in the picture. He is very friendly, but from what I understand they get pretty aggressive as they age. Is this true?

 

[keljonma]

We just have Eleanor, who is now almost 3. I think roos may be more aggressive than hens. Sam our Golden Campine roo was raised the same way as the Ladies, but he has no interest in being near people.

I have a pic of Eleanor a little over 1 month old - let me find it and post later.

Here is Eleanor on my dh's lap. That's Abigail, our Dominique, with them. DH was feeding them treats and Eleanor dropped hers.

Here is Eleanor with Sam at 1 year of age

 

[Jetlander]

I am interested in the photo. It is a shame you are so far away, as I would like to find him a lady. I don't want him to get his 'funk on' with my Silver Laced Wyandottes. Besides, I don't think he would do well with our very cold winters. We live only about 60 miles from the Canadian border.

 

[wyndski]

I am not a expert by any means, but I do not think it is a WFBS. I did not have my hen until she was almost ready to lay, so I did not see her at that age. However her and her 2 week old mixed chick have black legs. I read the white on the face can take up to year to appear.
Here is a picture of my WFBS hen, Henatta with my OEGB Roo.

Here is a picture of her chick, the father is the Roo in the picture with my hen.

I do not know how one can tell the roos in the WFBS at a young age (unless the comb turned red) as the hens have large combs too.

 

[keljonma]

Eleanor in the group shot 1 wk old

At 15 days

Here at just over 1 month of age

At 5 months

At 6 months

Dec 2008

 

[baldie]

I ordered chicks from McMurray last year. It kinda looks like my 2 Ancona's at that age. They came from McMurray.