Bantam Babies and Their Inexplicable Plumage!

[DarkWater1929]

I have seven bantam Cochin/Silkie crosses, three roosters and four hens. They all look a great deal alike, except that they are different shades of Gray, with gold capes. So, when one of the girls went broody (I love it when they do that!) I expected babies that look like their parents. They all hang in a bunch, and keep pretty aloof from my other chickens, so, I did not consider outside contributions to the genetic mix.

Aren't I surprised, therefore, at the look of the babies! None show signs of looking much like the supposed parents! I also have a gold sebrite roo, a game bird roo, and a porcelain d'uccle hen. I guess the eggs, and or the male contribution, may have originated with those.... But, these babies have feathers on their feet and legs, that are longer than the legs, themselves! I have never seen anything like it!

Do you suppose they will grow into them? If not, they are going to be some interesting birds!

The colors don't make much sense to me, and, to my untrained eye, it looks as though I will have at least one with the silkie feathers! I sure wish I knew more about genetics.

Any input or comments are welcome! Also, if you notice any giveaway gender traits, feel free to point them out.

BTW, the roo is one of the Cochin/Silkie crosses.

Cheers!

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[RoostersAreAwesome]

You’re seeing the result of recessive genes and mixed patterns. The chicks could grow up to look like their parents, their grandparents, any combination of their looks, or something new entirely. Silkie feathering is recessive, and all the silkie x parents carry it, which is why you’re seeing some with that trait. Do you have pictures of the possible mothers?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I have seven bantam Cochin/Silkie crosses, three roosters and four hens. They all look a great deal alike, except that they are different shades of Gray, with gold capes. So, when one of the girls went broody (I love it when they do that!) I expected babies that look like their parents. They all hang in a bunch, and keep pretty aloof from my other chickens, so, I did not consider outside contributions to the genetic mix.

Aren't I surprised, therefore, at the look of the babies! None show signs of looking much like the supposed parents! I also have a gold sebrite roo, a game bird roo, and a porcelain d'uccle hen. I guess the eggs, and or the male contribution, may have originated with those.... But, these babies have feathers on their feet and legs, that are longer than the legs, themselves! I have never seen anything like it!

Do you suppose they will grow into them? If not, they are going to be some interesting birds!

The colors don't make much sense to me, and, to my untrained eye, it looks as though I will have at least one with the silkie feathers! I sure wish I knew more about genetics.

Any input or comments are welcome! Also, if you notice any giveaway gender traits, feel free to point them out.

BTW, the roo is one of the Cochin/Silkie crosses.

Cheers!

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How do these chicks look now?