Stupid question, I know but…

[AinaWGSD]

I'm going to throw another monkey wrench into the equation. Peep could be a wyandotte with an incorrect comb!

Wyandotte are supposed to have a rose comb, but some of the breeds originally used to create wyandottes (and probably some of the newer color varieties) were single combed. Since single combs are recessive, they can "hide" in a flock of rose combed birds and pop up from time to time. It's actually not uncommon for hatchery wyandottes to have a single comb instead of a rose comb.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

I'm going to throw another monkey wrench into the equation. Peep could be a wyandotte with an incorrect comb!

Wyandotte are supposed to have a rose comb, but some of the breeds originally used to create wyandottes (and probably some of the newer color varieties) were single combed. Since single combs are recessive, they can "hide" in a flock of rose combed birds and pop up from time to time. It's actually not uncommon for hatchery wyandottes to have a single comb instead of a rose comb.

Very interesting! Thank you!

 

[AinaWGSD]

Also, white skin/shanks (like orpingtons should have) is dominant to yellow skin/shanks (the "correct" skin color for wyandottes). I'm not certain about how the lavender gene was introduced to wyandottes, but the variety is new enough that if it was introduced via lavender orpingtons that could account for incorrect leg color. Especially in hatchery birds where selection for breed traits is generally less vigorous.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@MysteryChicken is far more knowledgeable about genetics than I am. But as I understand it birds have only 2 leg color: black and white. But then a second color gets added, sort of overtop of the base color. Therefore a chicken with white legs (shanks) will have white soles, even if a dark color had been “added” and they appear to have dark legs. A bird with true black legs will have black soles.


You’re welcome. I’m glad you asked your question because I am learning new things, too. I find chicken genetics to be both fascinating as well as overwhelmingly mind-boggling .

Chickens may have Recessive Yellow Shanks that are dark too. This results in Green legs.

 

[BlueDawnRising]

Both have pink soles on their feet.

 

[Chicks_r_our_modern_Dinos]

I'm no expert, but if Lavender Orpingtons are like the Buff Orpingtons we have, I'm pretty sure that Peep is a hen and Bo is a roo, but I don't want to say for sure and end up be telling you wrong.