Whiting True Blue Chicks

[chrissynemetz]

I would say at the moment I'm leaning towards pullet

 

[ChickNanny13]

pullets

 

[ChickNanny13]

Do yours both have muffs? Pea Combs?
I see what you mean about the difference with the tails.

Questioning what I got, they're 5mo and still no signs of laying. Got these from a friend that ordered WTB & WTG ... I chose two of each, going by the combs but now questioning what I got. The straight combs should be WTG while the pea combs should be WTB combs are in question. The WTB (2.75lbs) should weigh more than the WTG (3.5lbs & 4lbs) but it's reverse. The WTGs should be laying soon, all the signs are there but the WTB are far from ready. WTB should have muffs but the blue doesn't.

What do you all think?
1st pic the WTB on the right, muffed & think it's a bad example of a pea comb.
2nd pic the WTB on the left is the one in question, looks like rose comb or pea? No muff.
3rd pic - WTB on the ends & the 2WTG in center, their combs & wattles are big.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Do yours both have muffs? Pea Combs?
I see what you mean about the difference with the tails.

Questioning what I got, they're 5mo and still no signs of laying. Got these from a friend that ordered WTB & WTG ... I chose two of each, going by the combs but now questioning what I got. The straight combs should be WTG while the pea combs should be WTB combs are in question. The WTB (2.75lbs) should weigh more than the WTG (3.5lbs & 4lbs) but it's reverse. The WTGs should be laying soon, all the signs are there but the WTB are far from ready. WTB should have muffs but the blue doesn't.

What do you all think?
1st pic the WTB on the right, muffed & think it's a bad example of a pea comb.
2nd pic the WTB on the left is the one in question, looks like rose comb or pea? No muff.
3rd pic - WTB on the ends & the 2WTG in center, their combs & wattles are big.
View attachment 1979549 View attachment 1979550 View attachment 1979551

Yours are definitely all pullets! I have a Whiting's True Blue with blue plumage just like your pullet on the left but yours does appear to have more of a rose comb like suggested above. I'll try to get a picture of mine in just a bit.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

@ChickNanny13 The first image is of my WTB hen that is now about 2 years old. She just went through a hard molt so her comb isn't as large or red as usual but her plumage is much like your hen's.

To answer your other questions about the muffs and beards, not all WTBs have them. This brown pullet is actually the ONLY one I have hatched that has muffs and a beard. I also think your rose comb pullet is likely still a WTB and some older genetics came through. That would probably just make her less desirable for breeding stock but I'm not even 100% positive of that because when the breed was being developed the primary goal was a production breed that laid eggs consistent in color. My 2-year-old WTB still lays almost daily (when she's not molting) and has surpassed my White Leghorn in laying frequency.

The second image is of the WTB that was previously in question because of the tail. She's definitely a pullet and her tail now looks appropriate. lol, She was actually the second pullet this year that I hesitated to believe was a pullet because she started with sickle-like tail feathers.

 

[ChickNanny13]

@CluckNDoodle About what age did yours start laying? Mine are so light weight I worry that they're not getting enough to eat but then again I'm used to Orps as they are my favorite breed. But these are

 

[CluckNDoodle]

@CluckNDoodle About what age did yours start laying? Mine are so light weight I worry that they're not getting enough to eat but then again I'm used to Orps as they are my favorite breed. But these are

I LOVE my English Orpingtons! They're definitely much larger than Whiting True Blues. Their food to egg conversion is much lower, they're streamline, smaller build chickens and they fly very well due to their low body weight.

My 2 year old hen started laying around 4-5 months old but I think my brown pullets are gaining on 6 months old and their combs are just now starting to grow and darken. I think it has alot to do with when they're hatched and what season is approaching when they get to the appropriate age for laying.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Look what I found today, not in the nest box but next to the OS. I think she was walking & out it popped, I've seen it happen once with a new layer few years ago. It's the WTG I who had me thinking it was a cockerel due to the early development of comb & wattles. Color's like an olive green & about the size of a small egg. The other WTG should be laying by the end of the month. The 2 WTBs won't be for another month, my opinion.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Look what I found today, not in the nest box but next to the OS. I think she was walking & out it popped, I've seen it happen once with a new layer few years ago. It's the WTG I who had me thinking it was a cockerel due to the early development of comb & wattles. Color's like an olive green & about the size of a small egg. The other WTG should be laying by the end of the month. The 2 WTBs won't be for another month, my opinion.

View attachment 1979919

Nice!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thank you ... Hoping she uses the nest eventually. Never had issues with the other breeds I've had, but these Whitings are the first and so far really enjoying them.