So, my little Einstein...that was originally supposedto be a Polish hen, is not a Polish hen. Now, as the girls developed, it became more and more obvious to me that Einstein was making a departure from Phyllis in the looks department. Phyllis's hair just got bigger and more impressive, whereas Einstein's never really got any fancier than when she was a pullet. Phyllis's waddles came in pretty good sized in the last two months...Einstein..nada. Phyllis has also gotten a good bit bigger than Einstein. Einstein has feathers on her legs...Phyllis does not. I kind of knew that Einstein's feather pattern really wasn't Polishesque. Now, I guess I've just been too busy to bother investigating this divergence of appearance. But I've been inspecting them a lot more lately (because they have the Pox) and it just couldn't be ignored any longer. After a tad bit of research, and some toe counting, it appears I have myself a Houdan...
Einstein, the mottled Houdan
Houdans have five toes total, Polish have four. That's the clincher. By the looks of it Einstein is a mottled Houdan and may even be a bantam at that. She's the smallest of all the gals, but was the first to start laying. Phyllis has continued to grow, but Einstein has stayed much smaller. I have to say, I'm kinda glad to have a Houdan. I'm already planning my spring 2010 acquisitions...still trying to decide what to get...anyone have any votes?!
Yes there is quite the array of colors available with different chicken breeds. True Ameraucanas lay the pale blue eggs. Mutts (Mongrels) of Ameraucaunas and Auracanas, usually called "Easter Eggers" will lay variations of that blue or sage green, like my Eunice does. They are lovely. The are some eggs that will show up from Easter Eggers that are almost pink. Plymouth Rocks lay a pinkish colored egg, Marans lay a dark chocolate brown egg. Here is a chart you can refer to: http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
But it's my understanding that True Ameraucanas only lay blue eggs (the chart says otherwise).
I think there is a difference in density in eggs from different breeds. Ameraucanas for example have yolks that are more dense than other breeds. Flavor of eggs will change with what you're feeding them. Bottom line, "homegrown" eggs are SO much better than what you get at the grocery store!
Posted by: Leslie Finical Halleck | November 14, 2009 at 06:46 PM
I know nothing about chicken types. But the ones you have make such beautiful eggs - pale blue and sage green. Can you choose by egg color? Are there chickens that lay rose colored eggs? Or butter yellow? But even brown eggs would add to your pretties.
I never knew that eggs came in any other color than white or brown. I am seriously coveting some Easter egg Chickens of my own.
I know that color doesn't affect egg taste but does chicken breed affect taste? I'm curious.
Posted by: SerenDippity | November 14, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I just love her. I think she is BELLISSIMA !!! Lucky you !!
Posted by: Alessandra Thor | November 13, 2009 at 06:07 PM
A silkie's broodiness doesn't seem to be a problem if you take the eggs right away...and provided she isn't sneakily laying them somewhere other than the next box. It might actually come in handy when you breed Albert and Einstein (awesome), if Einstein doesn't turn out to be broody herself and you don't want to incubate.
I'd heard that seabrights were flighty as well, but the ones I saw at the state fair seemed to be pretty calm. The Old English Game hens were actually the friendliest, coming right up to the side of the cage to "meet" me. Based on Storey's breed guide, I'd really like to have some nankins: "friendly, active, and talkative birds," and quite cute besides.
If/when keeping hens is legalized in Plano, or when I finally move somewhere that they're legal, the hardest thing is going to be deciding what to get!
Posted by: Gretchen | November 13, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Yes...But actually I belive Eunice is somewhat of an Ameraucana Mutt..But she's the heartiest of my birds. Ohhh, the Seabrights do look very cool. I've heard they are a bit flighty? But yes, that's a viable option. One of my chicken gal pals says that the Silkies can get really broody, but I guess they are really more for show anyway! She has a mottled Houdan rooster named Albert..so now our dream is to breed Albert and Einstein (lol, crack myself up) and have little Einstein babies!!
Posted by: Leslie Finical Halleck | November 13, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Well, let's see....you've got Polish, Houdan, and Ameraucanas, right? If you're in the mood for another bantam, I'd get either a Silkie or a Seabright, because they're friendly and gorgeous respectively. If you don't want a bantam, how about a Leghorn? They're adaptable, great layers, and I think really pretty.
As is Einstein, by the way.
Posted by: Gretchen | November 13, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Whatever you get in 2010, you must name one "Guns" and name another "And Guns"!
Posted by: nikki | November 13, 2009 at 03:09 PM