Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

I went to a friend of mine this morning to deliver some cuts of meat that he had ordered. This guy is big into his poultry and waterfowl with anything from Transylvanian Naked necks to geese. Anyway, he showed me a flock of growers. He said they were unwanted surplus from the breeding season.

 

He told me they were going to be culled in a few days time and asked would I take a few. I was a bit cornered at this point, and so accepted them reluctantly.

 

He said that they were 6 months old and that they are due to start laying soon. But I honestly don't think these look 6 months old... (apologies for poor photos, they aren't too fond of cameras just yet)

 

 

http://flickr.com/gp/119083245@N07/8028X8

 

http://flickr.com/gp/119083245@N07/V916iV

 

http://flickr.com/gp/119083245@N07/0N048e

 

 

 

He said that the white one is a cockerel and the other two are hens.

 

Any idea as to what they are? The hens remind me of Marsh Daisies or maybe a Silkie. No idea as to what the cockerel is.

 

 

I was reluctant to take them because I don't really have the space or housing to accommodate them at the moment. So I think I might sell them or give them away but It would be nice to know what they are first, and as to whether they would have any chance of someday running with my established flock of hybrids.

[sparkysmum]

I am not good at sexing hens but I thought the white one looked like a girl They are beautiful whatever they are Ax

[mimi5]

The 2 with black faces could be silkie crosses. Or maybe pilkies? A pekin, silkie cross (feathered feet at all?) The white 1......lovely, but doesn't look very boy to me I'd say see if it crows I have 2, 5 month old pekin boys (yes one was meant to be a girl.....late developer ) and they are very red in the face and as of this week both crowing

[coco]

I was thinking silkie crosses for the two dark ones, no idwa what the white one us although I think its a hen, doesn't look very boyish.

[daxigirl]

I believe they're all girlies. Definitely silkie crosses. The look like my Lisa-Marie with the little crest and black skin. She's a great layer. Rather envious.

[Chickabee]

Their heads look silkie like. Their tail look a bit polish to me. I think the white one looks like a girlies they're all lovely. Good luck with them

[Chickabee]

Fou

 

Found this on google. It's a silkie Poland cross. Yours could be partridge

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

Thanks for the help everybody. I thought there was something more to the brown ones that just silkie. It's like they have the crest, 5 toes and mulberry skin of a silkie, but they don't have the "fluffy" feathering or the feathered legs mentioned in the breed standard

 

And the Poland cross seems a very possible identity, Chickabee

 

Any idea how old they look? Are they a nice bird to keep? Would they have any chance getting along with the established flock?

[coco]

I have a silkie polish cross, although she looks more like a pollish. She gets on fine with my lot even though she is quite small, She is very chatty and laysfairly well. Why don't you try intros and see how they get on,

[daxigirl]

Lisa-M is top bird and my only original left. The others don't mess with her, me either come to that. Her mum was Appenzeller and her dad a Silkie. Lovely eggs, prolific layer, quick moulter. Rather grumbly when she's got an egg brewing. Her comb is like a little tiara with a bit of a bouffant behind, so pretty. You can see her if you search for "meet the girls". Never been broody, only took to the nest box for a couple of days when her BFF Paxo died.

[Redwing]

Goodness

 

The two dark ones are defintely Silkie crossed with something partridge coloured, the darkest one looks possibly male as the hackle feathers around it's neck are very indicative of a partridge coloured male and they are pointed

 

I would say the more partridge ones is probably female as males dont get the detailed pattening that females do so thats good news

 

I am pretty clueless on the white one but would lean towards it being male

 

I would say they are the six months old they were estimated at, the white one is possibly a tiny bit younger, the lack of comb and wattles is probably down to the characteristics of the breeds involved and not lack of maturity