Office Chickens - What are they?

[bowerslevi]

I work in a small office building in a semi-rural area. One day two chickens showed up. One chicken started laying eggs in our BBQ pit. We all assumed they were both hens but none of us know anything about chickens. We've only observed one chicken laying. Is the other one a rooster? What breed are they. Sorry they aren't really tame so I cant get close enough for a good picture.

 

[bowerslevi]

The pictures are both of the same chicken. The one we haven't seen lay any eggs.

 

[donrae]

How come cute hens never show up at my office

I can't see the comb really well, but I'm thinking it's a colombian Wyandotte. And definitely a hen.

The color pattern, white with black collar and tail, is called Colombian. There are a few breeds that come in that color. She looks to have yellow legs and a rose comb, so that's why I'm saying Wyandotte for the breed. Other options....

Yellow legs and straight comb would be a Plymouth Rock
white legs and straight comb would be a light Sussex
If she had feathered legs and a pea comb, a light Brahma. but, no feathered legs.

 

[bowerslevi]

Thanks for the information! Any advice on why she isn't laying somewhere visible? Does she look too old to lay? Too young?

 

[donrae]

Good indicator of laying is a nice plump red comb. Her comb looks red enough from the pic, best I can tell. She should be laying, she looks otherwise healthy.

Chickens love to hide their eggs. Remember, in their minds, that's a potential offspring

. Even if the hen has no intention of setting on the nest, they still like dark, secluded places to lay eggs. I'm thinking she's laying, just not somewhere you all can see right off.

 

[drumstick diva]

x2 donrae Columbian Wyandotte. Do you coop the chickens up at night? Maybe if you don't let them out early - they will lay eggs in the coop. If you get two eggs you'll know they are both contributing.

 

[BantamLover21]

I can't see the comb well enough to be sure, but it looks like a pea comb or possibly a rose comb. I would lean toward it being a Wyandotte or Brahma mix.

 

[Minnowey]

Colombian Wyandotte. Both hens.

 

[GreatBreeder]

I think Sussex for sure