Ancona/Australorp Mixes

[steiggy]

Update: 14-16 days old (we think) I know they are still too young, but I’ll post weekly updates to see what people think as they grow.

PeggySue

Amelia

Phoenix

 

[Gray Farms]

With Ancona in them they are going to grow in their combs quickly but its not a good indicator of their sex this young. 7-8 weeks of age is about as young chicks can accurately be sexed. The pullets should be outstanding layer with this cross though.

 

[steiggy]

With Ancona in them they are going to grow in their combs quickly but its not a good indicator of their sex this young. 7-8 weeks of age is about as young chicks can accurately be sexed. The pullets should be outstanding layer with this cross though.

That’s kind of what I’m figuring! I know Ancona hens typically have a larger comb, so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes with this mix! So far, they are all very sweet and enjoy interacting with people.

 

[RodNTN]

Can't wait to see what they turn out to be

 

[Cyprus]

Out of curiosity, which parent is which?

 

[steiggy]

Out of curiosity, which parent is which?

Dad is the Ancona, mom is the Australorp. It was quite a big hatch, too. 14 babies, if I remember correctly!

 

[Cyprus]

Dad is the Ancona, mom is the Australorp. It was quite a big hatch, too. 14 babies, if I remember correctly!

Interesting.
The difference in leg color with the chicks is really catching my attention.
Yellow legs are recessive. Black legs can be dominant but are strongly influenced by plumage color. Ancona have yellow legs with black spots; Australorps have black legs.
I'm wondering if the two chicks with black legs are both female and the one with yellow legs is a male....

Just a thought. Also, my guess is that all chicks will feather out black and the chick will yellow legs will end up looking a lot like a black Leghorn/ancona except with maybe red earlobes.

 

[steiggy]

Interesting.
The difference in leg color with the chicks is really catching my attention.
Yellow legs are recessive. Black legs can be dominant but are strongly influenced by plumage color. Ancona have yellow legs with black spots; Australorps have black legs.
I'm wondering if the two chicks with black legs are both female and the one with yellow legs is a male....

Just a thought. Also, my guess is that all chicks will feather out black and the chick will yellow legs will end up looking a lot like a black Leghorn/ancona except with maybe red earlobes.

That’s an interesting theory! Wouldn’t it be cool if that’s how it played out? Phoenix is very strange, his/hers are black and yellow. All of them have black on their legs, but very patchy compared to Phoenix.

I agree that they’ll all be black from what I’ve read of the bottling gene. It’s kind of strange mix, so I’m pretty sure they will keep us in our toes!

 

[steiggy]

3 weeks...

Phoenix

Amelia

Peggy Sue

 

[RodNTN]

Phoenix is looking more and more like a little boy!