Bantom Blue Orpington Question

[janastasio]

Hello! We have a bantom blue orptington rooster that is just turning one. My daughter uses him for 4-H as her show bird and showmanship bird. Just recently we noticed he is getting some brown feathers in by his beak and above his eye. Its almost like an eyebrow! I'm concerned this may be a disqualification for his coloring. Can anyone tell me about this? Thanks.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Are you sure it's brown and not red? It's not uncommon for blue birds- especially roos- to have red or gold bleeding around the head and even in the wings.
I'm not sure if it's a DQ or not- sorry!

 

[janastasio]

Actually, it probably is red and I looked more closely today and it is around the head. Does anyone else know if its a DQ?

 

[lildinkem]

It is most likely Red leakage. Depending on the age and number of Red feathers he may loose them . IF he has everything else going for him, you can still show him. Let a judge weigh in and have a say of what you have. I would not use him in a breeding program, unless you have no other choices. But for 4-H, I think he would not be DQ'd. I would still let a judge have a say though.

 

[nzpouter]

how long ago did he moult...

 

[dickhorstman]

Can the red feathers be plucked without leaving a bald spot?

 

[janastasio]

Thank you so much for all of the replies everyone. He is just turning one and I think he recently moulted or may be moulting. I think these feathers are new ones. Kind of surprised he is just getting them. We dont breed him, he is really a pet and for showing. He lives in our basement, so if he is going to be DQ when we show him, it doesnt make since to keep him in our basement! We keep him inside to prevent frost bite on his combs. We get to listen to his loveley crowing everyday! We will be showing him in April so I can ask a judge then, just wanted some opinions prior to that! Oh and I dont think the feathers are pluckable. I think too many for that!