What kind of a chicken do I have?

[redranger209]

My guess is black star.

 

[MROO]

View attachment 1458297 I hope y'all can help. I have a 11 week old pullet that was a school hatch. For the life of me, I can't figure out what breed it is. As a chick, it was all black, with just the tiniest spot of white just under is beak, and a white bum. I've researched just about every black chicken there is but none match what mine looked like as chicks.

Have you looked at the black sex-link? They're almost totally black as peeps, but have the little spots of white you describe. Most of the adult pictures on the hatchery sites show some rust in the black feathers, but there are quite a few on Google that show up as totally black, as well. With that green iridescence showing up, I'll bet she's gorgeous when the sun shines on her!

 

[Mommatls27]

Have you looked at the black sex-link? They're almost totally black as peeps, but have the little spots of white you describe. Most of the adult pictures on the hatchery sites show some rust in the black feathers, but there are quite a few on Google that show up as totally black, as well. With that green iridescence showing up, I'll bet she's gorgeous when the sun shines on her!

Yeah, the pictures I've seen of them as chicks look a lot like her, the only reason I've not totally settled on that is because my boy did not have a white shot on his head. I guess I could have been wrong about his sex, (I don't pour to think of that cause I've already given him away) but his waddles and his comb grew very fast and were red. She is beautiful in the sun. Kind of makes my Austerlorp look a little dull.

 

[Mommatls27]

I wouldn't count on it being a cross-breed. I work in a public school system, and all of our eggs have come from certified hatcheries (for health reasons, I guess) so they've all been purebreds. Some have been some pretty neat little birds - like white crested polish and a few other oddballs. It just depends on what the hatchery has extra of, that week. So don't totally count out a rare or unusual breed. Your eggs may have been hatchery quality purebreds, but purebred, just the same. Keep on looking!

The teacher told me she got the eggs from a neighbor, but you're right, they still could be purebred.

 

[redranger209]

From the sound of it black star/sexlink. It’s very likely, any non barred or white rooster over any barred hen will do it.

 

[Marge Carlson]

I think you have a Black Maran. I have Copper Maran's, Blacks and Cuckoos. Yours looks like mine at 14 weeks - sometimes they develop the red comb - or light reddish grey or keep the black. Look at images in a google or bing search.

 

[Mommatls27]

I think you have a Black Maran. I have Copper Maran's, Blacks and Cuckoos. Yours looks like mine at 14 weeks - sometimes they develop the red comb - or light reddish grey or keep the black. Look at images in a google or bing search.

So Marans have feathered feet, cause this one does not. I wish it were, I had a black copper maran chick, but sadly it died.

 

[MROO]

So Marans have feathered feet, cause this one does not. I wish it were, I had a black copper maran chick, but sadly it died.

Although Marans can have feathered feet, usually on the outer toe, many (some say "most") do not. Give her a bit more time to develop her full adult coloring and proportions, and you'll get more accurate guesses. This is fun!

 

[Arya28]

Black sex links/Black star chickens (they are the same thing, just different names) do not have that kind of comb. So it could be mixed with one, but it is not a "purebred" black sex link. Black sex links are bred from Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock, I believe.

Either way, your little hen is a very pretty bird.

 

[MROO]

Black sex links/Black star chickens (they are the same thing, just different names) do not have that kind of comb. So it could be mixed with one, but it is not a "purebred" black sex link. Black sex links are bred from Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock, I believe.

Either way, your little hen is a very pretty bird.

Funny thing, that. Black Star/Black Sex Link... Red Sex Link ... the hatcheries and feed stores all treat them like they're purebreds when they are crosses. They're great layers and have earned their place in the coop, but it sure would make things less confusing if the Powers-That-Be called 'em what they are ... or would that mean they couldn't charge as much? Oooh .... strike that ... by mercenary side is showing again!