Brahma Oddballs and Should I breed ?

[pgpoultry]

Some of you may remember my Blue Partridge Brahma pullet who was very challenged in the feather department.

Moel aged approx 18 weeks

Well, she has come good, though appears a bit on the 'rumpless side'.

Moel aged 30 weeks

Even her face is starting to redden.

I don't think that I should breed from her if she ever egg lays as clearly she has genetic issues.

However I have two pullets who have this colouring

This girl looks a funny shape her, but she was just walking down a slope and is perfectly fine.

I thought to breed them to a Blue Partridge Brahma male, but think that this may result in various odd colourings (?splash). Does this seems a good idea or not?

 

[Sjisty]

I think your girls are beautiful! I agree, though, I probably wouldn't breed Moel, but your red girl is stunning.


I love the oddballs I have been getting from my blue partridges.

 

[big medicine]

I would shy away from using the first bird just from how her primaries lay, let alone what ever the deal is with how she feathered out.

As to the second, I think I would consider putting her with a good buff Brahma.

 

[Kev]

It could be interesting to see how she 'produces'. For example, if bred to an unrelated and normal and result are all normal feathered chicks, it could be something recessive. However if it proves dominant (half of the offspring), then its proof you have a truly new mutation on your hands. Possible interest to people who work with chicken mutant genes- university or ?

If it's dominant, would be interesting to see what a bird pure for it looks like. Maybe no difference, or even more extreme form of downy feathers only.

She looks different, yes... but imagine if the person who first noticed silky showing up had culled the whole flock.. sometimes a new thing isn't so bad.

 

[pgpoultry]

Thanks for the comments. i love the surprises that chance matings throw up.

Big medicine....good idea....That I may well do.

Kev....Moel, the very slow feathering girl is very healthy, otherwise and does not appear to have any other problem at all. She is a 'softer' and more intense 'blue' than the usual "blue" birds (GREY!) and genuinely looks blue. As for culling...well, it's something I don't do unless I think the bird is suffering in some way or their are males who fight. I have 8 roosters who never fight at all....we have a large site for them to free range on and they can put distance between themselves if they wish. I had knitted Moel a chicken jacket for winter , but she won't need it now.....so I will probably give it to my 6 year old Warren hen who has age-related bald back! So yes... I had a pretty slow feathering Blue Partridge Brahma roo ,slower than the usual very slow male feathering that happens in some of the Brahmas. I could breed her to him....and get out the knitting needles should the offspring end up like the naked chickens I've seen on this site.

 

[big medicine]

Just out of curiosity how many males are in the same run with your bare backed hen ?

 

[pgpoultry]

I've got 8 roos altogether

but I don't think it's an overmating issue (although it should be with so many males around!) as firstly they have acres to roam and secondly she has worn a poultry saddle (without feather re-growth) and always looks like this. I don't usually segregate them up, so little sub-groups are often several hundred yards apart. I plan to keep them segregated next Spring to do some selective breeding. I have around 50 chickens.....so no criticism for having too many (as i don't know how many I have).

Here she is showing a bit of shoulder and crop feather re-growth, but the back remains bald (I've checked thoroughly for parasites and treat her about every 6 months even though I've never found evidence)

Warrens usually only live for 3-4 years, so this girl is truly time expired......she lays an egg about once every 2-3 weeks.