I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed it until the other day, but while I had thought I had two Barred Rock roosters, I actually have a Barred Rock and a Dominique. They look identical except for their combs. Barred Rock’s have a large single comb, and Dominiques have a Rose Comb. They are both heritage breed chickens, but the Dominique is much more uncommon compared to the Barred Rock.
![Barred Rock Rooster](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Barred-Rock-Rooster-300x200.jpg)
Rocky, my Barred Rock rooster with a large single comb.
Maia decided we should name this guy Romeo.
![Romeo, my Dominique rooster with a rose comb.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3230-300x200.jpg)
My Dominique rooster with a rose comb.
But combs on chickens are a fascinating thing, and can vary greatly. In some breeds, as in the Barred Rock and the Dominique, the only way to tell them apart is by their combs. I find it very difficult to tell the difference between my Patridge Penedesenca (with a single ‘King’s Comb’) and my Welsummers, with their small single combs.
![My Patridge Penendesenca with a King's Comb that droops elegantly to one side is so lovely.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Patridge-Penendesenca-with-a-Kings-Comb-that-droops-elegantly-to-one-side.-300x200.jpg)
My Patridge Penendesenca with a King's Comb that droops elegantly to one side is so lovely.
![My White Orpington with a small single comb.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/White-Orpington-with-small-single-comb-232x300.jpg)
My White Orpington has a very small single comb.
![Dominique hen with a rose comb.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Dominique-hen-with-a-rose-comb.-236x300.jpg)
My Dominique hen with a small rose comb.
![Black Australorp with small single comb](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Black-Australorp-with-small-single-comb-300x200.jpg)
My Black Australorp with small single comb.
It can really be hard to figure out what these breeds are sometimes, but I’m pretty confident that this girl is a Silver Cuckoo Maran with a single comb to one side.
![I think this is a Maran hen.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_28961-300x200.jpg)
Does anybody have any hairspray? My comb is a mess.
![Melina likes brussel sprouts.](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IMG_3228-300x200.jpg)
I bought a stalk of brussel sprouts in the bargain bin at the grocery the other day. Melina was completely hogging it.
I wormed all the goats today, so they were all a little pissed at me.
![Melina and Princess Kate](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Melina-and-Princess-Kate-262x300.jpg)
Melina and Princess Kate were enjoying the beautiful weather today.
![Grace & Kiki](http://craftyfarmgirl.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Grace-Kiki-300x200.jpg)
Grace and Kiki on the play ramp.
I think your suspected marans is just a barred rock with a huge comb. Marans usually have pink legs.
I love all combs! No walnuts in there 🙂
I love your blog. I’ve wanted to raise chickens forever but live in an area that doesn’t alow them. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you
I meant allow not alow
I love that your white Orpington is wearing fuzzy bath slippers.
Oh my goodness you have your hands full. Love the roosters, I didn’t realize their was more than one kind, lol. I love the dominique one with rose comb, so pretty or handsome.