|
|
Post by sgtilton on Feb 9, 2014 0:55:18 GMT -5
So I just had my first 4 chicks hatch this past week.  Really excited about it. One of the four, however, had some black spots on the head. Anyone ever heard of this? Are those spots likely to be permanent? |
|
Carm
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by Carm on Feb 9, 2014 6:19:34 GMT -5
I have buff orpingtons. I have had the dark spots on their heads before. They seem to fade and there is no sign of any discolouration when they are fully feathered. They all seemed to be from the one line. Maybe someone with more experience can give more of the science behind it.
|
|
|
|
Post by d12chandler on Feb 9, 2014 11:31:37 GMT -5
If they have spots on there heads they will probably have smutt or ticking in there tail. Good for
keeping rich buff color. Not great for showing.
|
|
|
|
Post by sgtilton on Feb 9, 2014 11:53:43 GMT -5
I failed to mentioned that they were LF Buff Orpingtons. And as I said, only 1 of the 4 have them. I have more due to hatch in the next couple of weeks. Don you got me excited if that is the case, because I could use a little better coloring, so it sounds like I will have a good breeder.
|
|
|
|
Post by chicksooner on Feb 10, 2014 10:33:32 GMT -5
they tend to have great coloring. Some told me once they see it most often on pullets. Not sure how true that is.
|
|
|
|
Post by sgtilton on Feb 10, 2014 11:38:10 GMT -5
Gender doesn't matter too much to me. As long as it breeds then I feel like this will help me improve my flock. I feel like I have good type, but coloring is a little off. This may be a great break for me. I'm going to toe punch this chick and see how it grows.
|
|
|
|
Post by iaechickens on Feb 16, 2014 11:03:53 GMT -5
Some of the chicks I got from Don have some also. I have identified and will be tracking these!
|
|
|
|
Post by d12chandler on Feb 16, 2014 11:52:20 GMT -5
I like having the spots, and when picking females for my breeding pen I like some with peppering or smut in there tail. If you cull those females it won't be long and your buffs will be to light.
|
|
|
|
Post by sgtilton on Feb 17, 2014 23:36:31 GMT -5
I've gotten about 8 buff chicks out now, and a lot of them have the peppering! More than I thought I would get anyways! Last year I didn't have any that I noticed, and I'm breeding the same birds. Odd, but I am hopeful that I get good color for breeding.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jon Alden on Feb 18, 2014 9:47:44 GMT -5
Almost all of my chicks have black on their head. I meant to mark them to see if there is any difference
|
|
|
|
Post by pinegrov on Feb 19, 2014 20:41:31 GMT -5
Doug Akers has some insight on this. Wish he would chime in.
|
|
Carm
Junior Member
Posts: 58
|
Post by Carm on Feb 20, 2014 21:42:36 GMT -5
There is more information on this topic in a thread from sept. 2011. Just found it today by accident. Has a few interesting opinions and a link to other interesting opinions.
|
|
Really excited about it. One of the four, however, had some black spots on the head. Anyone ever heard of this? Are those spots likely to be permanent?
