What the flock is this .....

[TaunyaT]

I bought this (and 5 other chicks) for a a breeder in western Washington. She told me it was a White French Bresse when I bought it,clearly not by age 2 weeks color started to darken. So the. She told me it was a Sulmtaler. @ 4 weeks nearly black. Now at 8 weeks- I have no idea. I think. My breeder has a roo that’s mingling out side of his pen!

 

[JedJackson]

Sulmtaler cockerel.

 

[JedJackson]

Should look something like this guy when full grown

 

[drumstick diva]

x2 Jed Jackson wow - what a beautiful roo. If your's looks like that when it matures, keep him.

 

[TaunyaT]

Sulmtaler cockerel.

That would explain why it’s so black now.but I read sulmtalers are “easy” to sex as chickes? Boys tan- darker girls yellow and pale? This chick was pale yellow bought as a white bresse! guess we get to eat it. I am a urban chicken lover, sadly no Roos aloud.

 

[TaunyaT]

Sulmtaler cockerel.

Also, the crest on the head is developing and o read the males do not have this? Ooooo why is this so hard, wish they were like puppy’s just lift the tails!

 

[JedJackson]

That would explain why it’s so black now.but I read sulmtalers are “easy” to sex as chickes? Boys tan- darker girls yellow and pale? This chick was pale yellow bought as a white bresse! guess we get to eat it. I am a urban chicken lover, sadly no Roos aloud.

I've never heard of them being sex linked as baby chicks. They have the same color pattern as salmon Faverolles, and those aren't sex linked. They are easy to sex pretty early, though, because males and females have very different plumage colors. So you only need to look at the feather colors and you don't have to wait for comb development, etcetera.

Sulmtaler males do have crests, but they are usually smaller than the female crests, and not fluffy. The adult male in the picture I posted has a crest and yours would be similar later on. Male crests are made up of thin, pointy feathers, not fluffy broad ones like females.

I think Sulmtaler is the only breed possible for your guy, unless he is a mixed breed. And they are said to be good eating, so you are in luck.

 

[TaunyaT]

Thanks Jed,
I can’t find that article I thought I read so I probably am crossing my information. I am fairly new to chickens and this is the first spring I attempted “rare” breeds. I knew nothing of sulmtaler until this chick started turngin black instead of white. So now in my “baby” pen I have two Roos to get rid of! I’ll post a add or they’ll be dinner. Thanks for the tips. My kids are thrilled we now get to keep two Lavender Marans instead of one and the sulmtaler.

 

[JedJackson]

Thanks Jed,
I can’t find that article I thought I read so I probably am crossing my information. I am fairly new to chickens and this is the first spring I attempted “rare” breeds. I knew nothing of sulmtaler until this chick started turngin black instead of white. So now in my “baby” pen I have two Roos to get rid of! I’ll post a add or they’ll be dinner. Thanks for the tips. My kids are thrilled we now get to keep two Lavender Marans instead of one and the sulmtaler.

Yeah, it is not fun to have to deal with cockerels, especially when you've raised them from chicks and are attached. Unfortunately, the very rare breeds like Sulmtalers and lavender Marans usually don't come as sexed chicks. And, let's face it, even when they do there's still a chance you will get a cockerel. It's just part of raising chickens, unless you buy older birds.

Luckily, there are things you can do. Butchering and processing your own is what many do and though it is time consuming, it is usually satisfying, if you can bring yourself to do it. Or there is re-homing. Something as rare as a Sulmtaler should find people willing to take him. You just have to decide what is right for you and your family. There is no wrong or right answer, other than treating the birds well while they are alive and in your care.