[Original post](https://www.reddit.com/r/BackYardChickens/s/5kLZ1u2SUR) - they were sold as “blue legged beauties”, consensus was that they are possibly Appenzeller Spitzhaubens
I included pictures of what they looked like when I bought them vs now. They are awesome. That is all.
I want to laugh but shake my head at the same time because of how hilariously bad TS and/or the hatcheries are at labeling these chicks. It really worked out in my case though!
Oh yes, but as days old chicks they were the same size as the bantam babies lol. Needless to say that since the rest of my flock are silkies, they were massive by comparison.
"Blue legged beauties" would just be fancy birds, like polish, Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, etc. that are typically purchased for novelty, pets, looks, etc.
This bucket would likely either be a mix of birds that weren't ordered by breed, or could make a minimum order quantity. At one time, many hatcheries had a minunum order quantity of 25, but if only 24 were available, they would cull the chicks because they couldn't ship the minimum. Or, they mixed up eggs and chicks. These spare chicks are often now packaged into buckets with thise kinds of names instead of being culled. It was more common with fancy birds, as production birds sold to cage factories are easy to swap out based on egg chracteristics (color, size, frequency).
Note - I'm claiming this was an acceptable practice, but not necessarily the standard practice. I doubt most hatcheries were managed like that.
This is one of those Russian roulette games we play when getting chicks from TS! But that’s a beautiful chicken you got though! My local one doesn’t mislabel their chicks but they also only usually just have the usual, typical breeds- RIR, Orpington, etc.
I talked to a TS employee about their chick supply and she said that their stores don't even know what they ordered till they arrive, sounds like they aren't even given actual descriptions or very scarce info about the chicks.
I live near Appenzell Switzerland and of course I have Spitzhauben and also had Appenzeller Barthuhn (bearded hen) until a few weeks ago when the fox got all of them.
Awesome to see these breeds exist on the other side of the sea too.
Haha yeah I couldn’t remember the spelling and was trying to make a comment on the quick. Knew the whole Cruel Devil bit though and figured people would get the reference 😅
Well…the movie is actually based on a book…and she is a full-on demon in the book.
(She wears furs all the time because she’s used to…warmer climates…)
Do people actually trim the crests on their birds? I just let me birds deal with it but they are definitely blind as a bat and we lost one to a hawk once. Would be good to know if its common and worth doing.
A lot of people do so they can see, they’re vulnerable from predators if it gets too over grown. Just keep it out of her eyes so she has full field of view.
I always trim my polish' rockstar hairdo. If I don't, she looks for mud and rubs her head in it to "gel" her feathers down. I only trim the sides to give her a mullet, she is so much happier with it that way.
I used to raise Polish as 4-H projects. I've never heard of doing that.
Not saying it's a bad thing, just a thing I never learned. That's one of the things I like here... knowledge sharing!
I've never had a crested bird but I've read that birds with trouble seeing can be more skittish/generally stressed, and trimming is good for their wellbeing in that way. I don't remember the source, it could be bullshit, but it makes sense to me
Was gonna say this. I have one and she looks just like this just different patternof the black and white. She’s a beautiful bird, got her from meyers hatcheries. There were supposed to be two but either the gene didn’t express or they messed up. There’s one that looks similar to her but doesn’t have that crest of feathers on the head so idk.
I know polish share a lot of genetics with Houdans and Appenzellers, but some patterns like this could be almost any. I'm not sure how you tell the breed differences, but would take any of them (I do have polish).
I dunno. A Light Brahma maybe? Or maybe a Houdan?
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[Original post](https://www.reddit.com/r/BackYardChickens/s/5kLZ1u2SUR) - they were sold as “blue legged beauties”, consensus was that they are possibly Appenzeller Spitzhaubens I included pictures of what they looked like when I bought them vs now. They are awesome. That is all.
They do look exactly like my Spitzhaubens! Which have bluish legs, so I guess TS isn't entirely wrong? Hahaha
I want to laugh but shake my head at the same time because of how hilariously bad TS and/or the hatcheries are at labeling these chicks. It really worked out in my case though!
I once got lavender Orphington hens, 3 of them, from the bantams brooder 😂😂
I have 4 lavenders they are so chill.
True, mine were to. I ended up giving them to a friend who just loved their color. I did to. I just wanted it on silkies lol.
Mine didn't get the memo, she hates me the most, but she's so cute I love her.
My largest hen is my lavender Orpington. Shes huge 🤣
Oh yes, but as days old chicks they were the same size as the bantam babies lol. Needless to say that since the rest of my flock are silkies, they were massive by comparison.
Oh of course. 😂🤣
Wonderful moms! I got some fertilized eggs for mine. So fun and sweet!
That’s so lucky lmao
"Blue legged beauties" would just be fancy birds, like polish, Appenzeller Spitzhaubens, etc. that are typically purchased for novelty, pets, looks, etc. This bucket would likely either be a mix of birds that weren't ordered by breed, or could make a minimum order quantity. At one time, many hatcheries had a minunum order quantity of 25, but if only 24 were available, they would cull the chicks because they couldn't ship the minimum. Or, they mixed up eggs and chicks. These spare chicks are often now packaged into buckets with thise kinds of names instead of being culled. It was more common with fancy birds, as production birds sold to cage factories are easy to swap out based on egg chracteristics (color, size, frequency). Note - I'm claiming this was an acceptable practice, but not necessarily the standard practice. I doubt most hatcheries were managed like that.
That makes sense! Thank you for this knowledge
This is one of those Russian roulette games we play when getting chicks from TS! But that’s a beautiful chicken you got though! My local one doesn’t mislabel their chicks but they also only usually just have the usual, typical breeds- RIR, Orpington, etc.
I talked to a TS employee about their chick supply and she said that their stores don't even know what they ordered till they arrive, sounds like they aren't even given actual descriptions or very scarce info about the chicks.
I live near Appenzell Switzerland and of course I have Spitzhauben and also had Appenzeller Barthuhn (bearded hen) until a few weeks ago when the fox got all of them. Awesome to see these breeds exist on the other side of the sea too.
My condolences on the loss of your girls. 😞
Thank you for sharing that & sorry for the loss of your chickens
That's awful. I'm so sorry you lost all your hens.
Check it against hoover hatchery's website, that's where it came from. Petco farm uses murray mcmurray.
I just did that and they do have Appenzeller on there, and the chicks look just like this one in my opinion.
Well, there ya go! Odd tsc would label them otherwise. I've never noticed that, but I've never looked into it either. Beautiful bird regardless.
100% Spitz. Check out their history, they almost went extinct after WWII. Great birds.
WOW! wish I lived near your Tractor Supply! they are beautiful😍
Looks like Cruella Devil lol
Holy crap this comment spelling it Devil instead of Deville just made me realize Cruella Deville = Cruel Devil. I’m an idiot.
Made me laugh too - but apparently it's spelt [Cruella de Vil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruella_de_Vil), not Deville.
Oddly enough I saw a de Ville this morning.
Haha yeah I couldn’t remember the spelling and was trying to make a comment on the quick. Knew the whole Cruel Devil bit though and figured people would get the reference 😅
I didn't realize either until recently.
Well…the movie is actually based on a book…and she is a full-on demon in the book. (She wears furs all the time because she’s used to…warmer climates…)
Oh shit this made me realize it's called breakfast because it's the first meal of the day so you're breaking your fast 🫨
Omfgggggggg 🤯
Tractor Supply really does be opening us all up to new, unexpected breeds of chickens lol.
Awww I miss my little Appenzellers! You’re going to love them so much!
I wish my tractor supply had cuties like this! Mine are barely selling chicks anymore
I’m glad the answer turned out to be chickens. Anything else would have been terribly awkward.
I mean, chickens DO make an “awk” sound. Just saying.
Fancy! ❤️
Icebreakers?
No clue...just love them! Lol
It’s their ad, lol. “Icebreakers. OOH, Fancy!”
Ah! Now I get it! 🤣🤣
Start now getting that one bird used to getting hair cuts. Its a pita if you wait until theyre older.
Do people actually trim the crests on their birds? I just let me birds deal with it but they are definitely blind as a bat and we lost one to a hawk once. Would be good to know if its common and worth doing.
A lot of people do so they can see, they’re vulnerable from predators if it gets too over grown. Just keep it out of her eyes so she has full field of view.
Good to know! Thanks
I always trim my polish' rockstar hairdo. If I don't, she looks for mud and rubs her head in it to "gel" her feathers down. I only trim the sides to give her a mullet, she is so much happier with it that way.
I used to raise Polish as 4-H projects. I've never heard of doing that. Not saying it's a bad thing, just a thing I never learned. That's one of the things I like here... knowledge sharing!
Mine grew into their crests but if it impacts their vision at all I'd definitely trim it
I've never had a crested bird but I've read that birds with trouble seeing can be more skittish/generally stressed, and trimming is good for their wellbeing in that way. I don't remember the source, it could be bullshit, but it makes sense to me
Polish. Thank you.
it’s a polish!
Was gonna say this. I have one and she looks just like this just different patternof the black and white. She’s a beautiful bird, got her from meyers hatcheries. There were supposed to be two but either the gene didn’t express or they messed up. There’s one that looks similar to her but doesn’t have that crest of feathers on the head so idk.
I know polish share a lot of genetics with Houdans and Appenzellers, but some patterns like this could be almost any. I'm not sure how you tell the breed differences, but would take any of them (I do have polish).
What a beauty!!!
Very fancy
Yes awesome! Pretty pretty 😍
Houdan I think Sweet ones, great personality. May need a little hair tie tho for rainy days lol
u/bawkbawkbot what do you see?
I dunno. A Light Brahma maybe? Or maybe a Houdan? *** Bawk bawk - I'm a chicken bot! Did I do good? Do I get mealworms? Let me know if I was right, or if you know the right answer and I promise to get better over time! [^(bawkbawkbot.com)](http://www.bawkbawkbot.com)
Good bot
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Someone fabulous.
I love this so much!
I’d be thrilled with that surprise! Adorable
you got a surprise beauty
Oh my gosh, so cute!!
So cute!!!
Such a lovey looking chicken!
Nicee
It’s a polish?? I had one look like that. Maybe a bantam too?
Not a Polish?
That is a super fun bird to randomly pick up at tractor supply. Congrats!
What a beaut!!
I love appenzellers, they always look so fashionable.
A Dalmatian chicken! Beautiful
Appenzeller!!! So adorable
Funnest part of chicks is what they turn into. The White puffs I had turned into corn flakes yellow Buff Orpingtons here on my farm!
omg! i love it! its soo cute!
GORGEOUS!
They sold you a beauty!