Thanks for the pics Richard. Since last I heard you primarily were focused on healthy egg layers not show birds wondering how your hens fare so far? Looks like they all have filled in and they look shiny healthy. Hope you understand and humor me when I say I'd spray some BluKote on the bald spot on that hen before it gets pecked and bleeds. Sorry, I can't help but be a Mom.
LOL I know. I know.
We sure got a kick out of your posing chick. So cute! Interesting about the beak and leg/foot color. I didn't know. Thought they had gray legs and feet from the get go. Think some have said so. Trying to get as familiar with all these details as much as possible so when I pick mine up I do a good job of getting three healthy pullets. Take care. ~Dee~
Hi Dee,
you've managed to ask a question that I really should know the 'facts' of, but if I do, it's the 'Oldtimers' disease' kicking in again! I don't recall ever having bred a chick that started out with
all black or slate gray legs, just as I've never bred a BA that started out with all black down. Anyway, the crucial things are, that the adult is black-feathered and that the legs and feet are black or slate gray, with white undersoles or white with some black 'freckling' and white toenails. The chicks also start out with varying degrees of white. I'd like to stress that I've
never come across a claim that sex can be determined by down color in BA's here. A few breeders claim to be able to pick them early, but
only with their own line. I've not come across a single chick that I'm 100% sure of 'till it crows or lays an egg! Exaggerating, but not much! Just yesterday I picked out a 'young cockerel', admittedly in a big flock, only then to notice its green legband, telling me that it's an older Utility strain pullet that I've posted picks of on here when she was younger! So much for the Aussie 'expert', eh?
You've also pricked my conscience, Dee. Two of my breeding girls have been ridden 'saddle sore/bareback' by my big roo, Derrick. He hasn't been running with them as it's not breeding season here, but, the poor girls are getting sunburnt on their bare backs. Got the stuff to put on, but gotta do it! Something I found a little weird. I began with Derrick, a first year hen related to him, a pullet from a different line and a pair of pullets from a prize-winning line. Wanted to see which 'clicked' with Derrick to start a line. He produced many chicks from all four, yet only the pair are bareback. The hen you could still show and the other pullet is 'untouched'. Does this mean that some strains are more prone to damage than others? Weaker feathers? I dunno! Any takers?
Cheers Geoff from Aus
