The Poultry Keeper

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

As I've just mentioned to Chicken Palace on another thread, I have no idea what breed a couple of my hens are, as I picked them up as a job lot from a farm near my parents'.

The Pekin was easy enough to recognise, but the other two are more complicated. As an educated guess, I had thought that Ruby was a Croad Langshan and Mrs Ploppy was an OEG, but as they've grown it's become obvious that they're not true to the breeds.

Any ideas, or is it more likely that they're just variants on the Heinz variety?!

Here's pics of my girls, anyway Laughing

-

Ruby - formerly believed to be a CL

Mrs Ploppy -

Queenie the Pekin (Cookie my beloved Hamburgh in background. Now sadly an ex-chicken Neutral

)

Twizzle the Cuckoo Marans - so named cos she looks like a turkey Razz

Can we come in, mum?! Ruby and MrsP

There is a rather beautiful lavender Araucana as well, but she doesn't like having her picture taken Shocked

CP · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:06 am Post subject:

Mrs Ploppy looks a bit like a Cream Legbar??? Confused

Don't know about Ruby.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

but she has the hackles of a light sussex ~ so maybe a cross of the two?

nigel · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:28 am Post subject:

Mrs Ploppy looks like a Silver Grey Dorking to me, does she lay a pale cream/off white egg?

CP · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

Would she have the 5 toes Nigel? That would be an easy way to tell. Wink

nigel · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject:

LOL of course - how could i forget the obvious?

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3476 Location: Monmouthshire

Do I now admit that I've got two identical to Mrs Ploppy, but with wyandotte type combs. the third has slightly different colouration. Bought last year in Hereford market as '3 bantam pullets' and entered by a dealer. They lay well, are excellent broodies and mothers, and very friendly. Exhibition Standard Oddlots - a good example of the type.

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

Mrs ploppy looks like a cream legbar but is possibly too small and 'neat'??? Dorking hens have flopped over combs...

As for the other, australorp?

i guess I don't know...hehe, sorry!!! Very Happy

Boxerchic · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Cheshire

Hi Fenn,

I've tried to zoom in on ruby's pic to see her eye colour and the feathering on her feet. Her eye doesn't look dark enough to be CL and her feet look rather clean. She may just have some CL blood in her. Marans have CL as part of the blood line also welsummers I think.

CL large fowl - foot feathering

CL eye colour and ear colour -

Not sure that this is really helpful Confused

Clare.

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Thanks everyone Smile

I think it's pretty obvious from what everyone's said that what I have is two rather attractive specimens of the Bitsa variety Laughing

I was curious because they were sold to me as pure breeds, but the woman (wife of the breeder who was away) didn't know what they were.

No matter, I love my girls whatever they are (or aren't!) love4

CP · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

Aww, I'm sure they don't care what they are! Laughing

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3476 Location: Monmouthshire

Having looked up Croad Langshan in Poultry Standards, I have to say she looks almost exactly like the photo of the LF black female!

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Lol! She's a very pretty girl, anyway! It would be nice if she *were* a CL, as it's something a bit unusual. Either way, she's much loved, even if she has laid her egg in the laundry again this afternoon...!

CP · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject: