Chicken ID: Dominique or Cuckoo Maran?

[Khalpers]

I'm trying to ID two of my hens. I adopted them from a friend who bought them as chicks from an online hatchery as Dominiques. However, they have single combs and lay medium-dark brown eggs. Another chicken from the same hatchery is a Barred Rock with a rose comb (very clear black and white bars that lays cream-colored eggs). Because of this, I figured that the Dominiques were just cross bred or something giving them to "wrong" combs. But now I've been studying Cuckoo Marans and wonder if they are this breed because they also have dark eggs but single combs...

The two have very different temperaments. One is the top chook, eats first, is loud and talkative, bosses everyone around, hates being handled, and looks out for the flock. The other is quiet, gets along with everyone, and frequently crouches down to be picked up. Both lay eggs about 5-7 days a week.

Here are some pics of the girls and their eggs. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

They look like Cuckoo Marans to me! Sounds like the other may be a Dominique not a Barred Rock if it has a rose comb.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have found that my hatchery Doms and PBR's have cuckoo and barred feathering which is really not that different between the 2 breeds. If your bird has a rose comb, I'd call it a Dom. IME, Doms lay a smaller and lighter colored egg than PBR. As for the Cuckoo Marans, my understanding is that they typically lay the darkest colored eggs when comparing one color variation (feather color) to an other (hatchery quality birds.) Of course the Marans should have a single comb. And the American Marans tend to not have feathered feet.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Another chicken from the same hatchery is a Barred Rock with a rose comb (very clear black and white bars that lays cream-colored eggs). Because of this, I figured that the Dominiques were just cross bred or something giving them to "wrong" combs.

The one with the rose comb you are calling a barred rock is probably a Dominique. They do have rose combs.

I figured that the Dominiques were just cross bred or something giving them to "wrong" combs.

Other rose comb breeders (hatcheries) such as Wyandotte have been KNOWN to put out some straight comb birds. This happens because it is said (shown in studies) that breeding all rose combs slows motility of sperm thereby essentially causing infertility after many generations. I don't think that's the case here.

I see these girls in question also have white skin. So in addition to their straight combs I would say they are not Dominique. Probably Marans even though no feathered legs (seen quite often in hatchery birds) and larger comb then I'm used to seeing. Pretty eggs, congratulations on the lovely variety.

 

[Redhead Rae]

With a single comb and white legs, that is a maran. I had Doms and their legs are yellow and they laid light tan eggs, sometimes with speckles. Nothing remotely that dark.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I have found that my hatchery Doms and PBR's have cuckoo and barred feathering which is really not that different between the 2 breeds. If your bird has a rose comb, I'd call it a Dom. IME, Doms lay a smaller and lighter colored egg than PBR. As for the Cuckoo Marans, my understanding is that they typically lay the darkest colored eggs when comparing one color variation (feather color) to an other (hatchery quality birds.) Of course the Marans should have a single comb. And the American Marans tend to not have feathered feet.

x2

 

[Khalpers]

I have found that my hatchery Doms and PBR's have cuckoo and barred feathering which is really not that different between the 2 breeds. If your bird has a rose comb, I'd call it a Dom. IME, Doms lay a smaller and lighter colored egg than PBR. As for the Cuckoo Marans, my understanding is that they typically lay the darkest colored eggs when comparing one color variation (feather color) to an other (hatchery quality birds.) Of course the Marans should have a single comb. And the American Marans tend to not have feathered feet.

Interesting! Here's the one I thought was a BR with a rose comb. Her coloring is so similar to the other BR with the single comb that I've been thinking they were both BRs. They are both in the second pic taking a dust bath with an Americauna (or EE - who knows?! LOL) And they lay the same cream-colored eggs!

I really don't HAVE to know. I just like to read all about their breeds. Thanks so much!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Interesting! Here's the one I thought was a BR with a rose comb. Her coloring is so similar to the other BR with the single comb that I've been thinking they were both BRs. They are both in the second pic taking a dust bath with an Americauna (or EE - who knows?! LOL) And they lay the same cream-colored eggs!

I really don't HAVE to know. I just like to read all about their breeds. Thanks so much!

That girl is a Dom. She has yellow legs too, although she could be a rose combed PBR.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

That girl is a Dom. She has yellow legs too, although she could be a rose combed PBR.

No such thing. Plymouth Rocks only have single combs.
The bird with the rose comb is a Dominique.
The birds in the first picture are Cuckoo Marans. A Barred Plymouth Rock would have a yellow beak.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Interesting! Here's the one I thought was a BR with a rose comb. Her coloring is so similar to the other BR with the single comb that I've been thinking they were both BRs. They are both in the second pic taking a dust bath with an Americauna (or EE - who knows?! LOL) And they lay the same cream-colored eggs!

I really don't HAVE to know. I just like to read all about their breeds. Thanks so much!

Dominique.