Looking to identify the breeds of these roosters...

[allboutchicken]

As I've stated in my introductory thread, I want to showcase my drawings and paintings of chickens in a local art gallery. I want to create pieces of various breeds, and this is where many of you have expertise, as I'm very new the different breeds of chickens.

A few days ago, I went to a local 7-11, and these two roosters were hanging out directly in front of my car. I thought it would be a great opportunity to take pictures of them, for possible future artworks, so I fed them some granola bars that I crushed up and snapped pictures while they were eating.

I've asked around, and I got mixed results...with some people saying it was an Aracauna rooster, whereas others were saying it was a bearded gamefowl. I've gone through the guidelines of posting pictures in this particular part of the forum, and I hope they're good enough to get identified. Thanks in advance, all help is greatly appreciated.












I visited Tara Firma Farms, a local farm about 30 miles away from me. I contacted the owner of the farm to ask which breeds she had on the farm, and she replied saying aside from Ameraucanas, Leghorns, and Barred Rocks, that she wasn't sure. Here are four roosters that I came across as I visited Tara Firma.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I can't see the top two well enough to be absolutely certain, but they are probably games...possibly Old English. The one poor fellow looks to have been attacked by something as there is significant feather loss. (Hopefully not through cock fighting as many games are still used for that sad sport).

On the farm, the first and second roosters are called Easter Eggers. A mix with Ameraucana blood somewhere back that often leaves some muff and beard, however neither meet standard so are automatically considered an Easter Egger. You can see what standard Ameraucanas look like here: http://www.ameraucana.org/gallery.html. Since you are trying to be accurate with your breeds, you should be aware of the whole Ameraucana vs. Americana vs. Easter Egger controversy here: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/ameraucana-easter-egger-or-araucana.html

Also that first EE rooster on the farm has some pretty severe scaly leg (bumpy patches on the legs). You may want to pick a specimen for your artwork that doesn't example that.

The last fellow on the farm is a very pretty boy. I'm not sure what he is. At first blush I thought maybe Old English Game, possibly Black Breasted Red, but he is a bit heavy for a game. He might be another Easter Egger since the farm stated they only have those with Barred Rocks and White Leghorns, and what further else she did not know...but he does not have a beard or muff so he cannot be an Ameraucana.

You might consider going to a certified poultry show to see some really beautiful examples of roosters on exhibition, with clear descriptions of their breeds. That could do a lot to develop your eye, unless you are looking for the rural barnyard mix look, which has its own charm.

If breed purity is important to you for your artwork, be aware that usually any farm that doesn't know the breeds they have on the farm is usually not a serious breeder...just saying....they likely sell for meat or eggs but not for breeds, which is a fine occupation, but if you are looking to portray pure breeds, you should go to a well known breeder who knows exactly what they've got on the farm and is breeding towards standard.

You can see a lot of different breeds on this site: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/

Good luck on your searches for beautiful and scenic birds for your artwork.
Lady of McCamley

 

[allboutchicken]

@Lady of McCamley

Thank you for your help! I forgot to mention, someone I asked through social media thought the first Easter Egger with the scaly feet was a Gold Duckwing Welsummer, and I just researched it now, and they look very similar. Do you think that could be a possibility?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

@Lady of McCamley

Thank you for your help! I forgot to mention, someone I asked through social media thought the first Easter Egger with the scaly feet was a Gold Duckwing Welsummer, and I just researched it now, and they look very similar. Do you think that could be a possibility?

EDITED: Oops...belay that....I was looking at the wrong bird...the top bird with scaly leg might be a Gold Duckwing Welsummer...the 2nd bird down is an EE, and so is the 3rd bird down....still unsure about the 4th.

No, that would be incorrect. Welsummers have single combs and never have a beard/muff. That bird has beard/muff and pea comb, traits of Ameraucana in the background, but with the colors that portray it as an Easter Egger.

Below I'll post a link to Gold Duckwing Welsummer (scroll about halfway) so you can see the difference. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wels/BRKWelsummers.html

I really encourage you to take some time on the Feathersite. It is a good place to start your visual education in chickens.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...and here is a chart to get your started in the different comb types.

In general, the beginning of bird identification starts with comb type, leg color/feet color, feather color, and body type (heavy meat bird/dual, lighter layer, lighter yet game, and various breed standard qualities). Meeting the breed standards in those general categories determine the breed type. Unfortuantely, even a purebred chicken that doesn't meet the breed type is considered mixed breed among professional breeders (or at least marked as utility quality), which can be a bit confusing to the novice but important to those who desire to keep the breeds distinct.

http://www.extension.org/pages/6536...backyard-flocks:-an-introduction#.VR9vRvnF-CQ

 

[allboutchicken]

No, that would be incorrect. Welsummers have single combs and never have a beard/muff. That bird has beard/muff and pea comb, traits of Ameraucana in the background, but with the colors that portray it as an Easter Egger.

Below I'll post a link to Gold Duckwing Welsummer (scroll about halfway) so you can see the difference. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wels/BRKWelsummers.html

I really encourage you to take some time on the Feathersite. It is a good place to start your visual education in chickens.

LofMc

...and here is a chart to get your started in the different comb types.

In general, the beginning of bird identification starts with comb type, leg color/feet color, feather color, and body type (heavy meat bird/dual, lighter layer, lighter yet game, and various breed standard qualities). Meeting the breed standards in those general categories determine the breed type. Unfortuantely, even a purebred chicken that doesn't meet the breed type is considered mixed breed among professional breeders (or at least marked as utility quality), which can be a bit confusing to the novice but important to those who desire to keep the breeds distinct.

http://www.extension.org/pages/6536...backyard-flocks:-an-introduction#.VR9vRvnF-CQ

Thank you again. Those links are very resourceful. Although when zooming into the pictures I quoted, the comb looked like a single comb type to me. Here's another picture if it helps.

 

[collingwood]

Beautiful birds!

 

[collingwood]

...and here is a chart to get your started in the different comb types.

In general, the beginning of bird identification starts with comb type, leg color/feet color, feather color, and body type (heavy meat bird/dual, lighter layer, lighter yet game, and various breed standard qualities). Meeting the breed standards in those general categories determine the breed type. Unfortuantely, even a purebred chicken that doesn't meet the breed type is considered mixed breed among professional breeders (or at least marked as utility quality), which can be a bit confusing to the novice but important to those who desire to keep the breeds distinct.

http://www.extension.org/pages/6536...backyard-flocks:-an-introduction#.VR9vRvnF-CQ

What type of combs are these?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes...I had gone back and edited that post...I agree that could be a Gold Duckwing Welsummer...I was looking at the next bird down in my first response and caught my mistake. Sorry.

As to the comb shapes...the left bird is a La Fleche and has a V shaped comb.

The right bird, that looks to be an incredibly well developed rose comb...I'm not sure if there is an additional comb type for that as there are even more comb hybrids from the simple chart I gave you, and I get lost in the different variations, but some of the rosecombs can be pretty impressive.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

If you are interested...here are even more comb types.
LofMc