Rhode Island Reds…Gray and Black Chicks?

[cncurtis13]

We were gifted three hens and rooster which I assumed were all Rhode Island Reds, but the giver calls them “farm chickens.” Anyway, broody hen sits on eggs, out pop two black chicks with yellow bums and a gorgeous gray chick. Any idea what they’ll look like as adults? Pics of chicks and parents included.

 

[ShrekDawg]

We were gifted three hens and rooster which I assumed were all Rhode Island Reds, but the giver calls them “farm chickens.” Anyway, broody hen sits on eggs, out pop two black chicks with yellow bums and a gorgeous gray chick. Any idea what they’ll look like as adults? Pics of chicks and parents included.

The rooster is not a RIR at least not pure. He looks like a Welsummer rooster or possibly a mixed breed. The hens might not be pure RIR either. The chicks are barnyard mix chicks so no telling what they might end up looking like unfortunately.

 

[cncurtis13]

The rooster is not a RIR at least not pure. He looks like a Welsummer rooster or possibly a mixed breed. The hens might not be pure RIR either. The chicks are barnyard mix chicks so no telling what they might end up looking like unfortunately.

After looking up Welsummers, wow! Yeah, they do look more like those for sure. Time will tell, I suppose. Thanks!

 

[ShrekDawg]

After looking up Welsummers, wow! Yeah, they do look more like those for sure. Time will tell, I suppose. Thanks!

You’re welcome!

 

[MysteryChicken]

We were gifted three hens and rooster which I assumed were all Rhode Island Reds, but the giver calls them “farm chickens.” Anyway, broody hen sits on eggs, out pop two black chicks with yellow bums and a gorgeous gray chick. Any idea what they’ll look like as adults? Pics of chicks and parents included.

Hens are Production Reds, the rooster is some sort of mixed breed of Birchen color.

Birchen gives an extention of black to the wing bar(Crowwing = Black Wing). Birchen makes chicks black.

Unsure how the blue chick came about as parents aren't blue, & the diluter is required for it to happen. Unless the chick is actually lavender, & the parents are split for the lavender gene. It's a recessive, & requires two copies to show.

 

[cncurtis13]

Hens are Production Reds, the rooster is some sort of mixed breed of Birchen color.

Birchen gives an extention of black to the wing bar(Crowwing = Black Wing). Birchen makes chicks black.

Unsure how the blue chick came about as parents aren't blue, & the diluter is required for it to happen. Unless the chick is actually lavender, & the parents are split for the lavender gene. It's a recessive, & requires two copies to show.

Fascinating! Thank you!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Fascinating! Thank you!

You're welcome.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

Unsure how the blue chick came about as parents aren't blue, & the diluter is required for it to happen. Unless the chick is actually lavender, & the parents are split for the lavender gene. It's a recessive, & requires two copies to show.

My thought was the blue chick might have a different dad. @cncurtis13 How long before the eggs were laid were you gifted the flock and do you know if there was more than one rooster on site at their previous home?

 

[123RedBeard]

My guess would be the hens are "homemade" red sexlinks ... Which are basically cross breeds ... Then add in the father, which probably also isn't pure ... So you got some little "barnyard" chickens ... Just like the people you got them from called them "farm chickens" ...

 

[cncurtis13]

My thought was the blue chick might have a different dad. @cncurtis13 How long before the eggs were laid were you gifted the flock and do you know if there was more than one rooster on site at their previous home?

We’ve had this flock over a year and only one rooster, so he’s definitely the dad!