Sooo much pooping

[Laxeybobby]

Hi we are new to this forum and chicken keeping, we live on the Isle of Man, UK.

 

Ten weeks ago we gave home to one hen and six chicks from the MSPCA (the Isle of Man version of the RSPCA) and they looked like this:

 

 

Now ten weeks later they look like this;

 

I think these are males

 

I also think this is a male

 

I think these two are female

 

This is the mother (thats the only thing im sure about.)

 

I have been told that they might be Old English Game Bantam Black Breasted Red?

I have also been told they might be Welsummer.

 

If any one could help us we would be gratefull. If we do have four males we would like to find them homes but also replace the numbers with some females of the same breed, unless we can mix the breeds without causing conflict in the flock.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Guest

[chickenNutter]

I know very little, being a beginner myself, however they don't look very like my Welsummer, Ruby, she is not that dark, although the hackle feathers on one picture look similar. I expect an expert Omleteer will be along soon who will know exactly what mix they are!

[Patricia W]

I don't think they are Welsummer but someone will know. You can mix breeds though. Most important thing is to get the same size i.e. bantams and Large Fowl don't always mix.

 

They look lovely. Good luck finding homes for any males.

 

Tricia

[Redwing]

I'd say that they are Welsummer bantams but thats only my thought

 

I's day you are right with your M/F guesses

 

The first (darker) female looks nothing like a Welsummer though! many hens hatch eggs out that are not their own though

[Chicken Shirl]

No idea about the breed. I agree with Redwing that you have the sexing right. They are lovely hens. Good luck with finding homes for the cockerels.

[Jools]

It's a job to tell with the boys (and yes I think they're boys) but the girls look very Old English Game to me. I have an OEG bantam and your's bear a striking resemblance.

 

The mother's feathers are Welsumer coloured (not her legs though as they should be yellow) but she looks more Game or Dutch or a mixture than Welsumer to me.

 

If you're replacing the boys with some more girls, then it won't matter too much what breed you get. Even if you keep one of the boys, you can add pretty much any breed to a group (within reason).

 

Also, as they're rescue birds, there's no telling if they all have the same parents, nor if their pure or cross breeds. I have a soft spot for Game and your's look gorgeous, especially the black one.

[tom123]

The hen could well be a Marsh Daisy, they sometimes have the feathering of Welsummers but with dark grey/olive green legs and look slightly more 'gamey'.

 

Chick wise, sexing looks right to me. Defiantly some game in there I think

[Laxeybobby]

Thank you so much to you all for your knowledge. We really appreciate it.

 

Could anyone tell us when we should look to removing the males from the flock. I assume when they reach a certain age they will start to fight for the top spot?