Buff Orp - pattern on tail feathers?

[Buff Hooligans]

I have five Buff Orp pullets from McMurray. Three of them have 4 or 5 tail feathers with a dark brown pattern on them. At first I thought it was dirt, but it's not.

It looks like brindle coloring on a dog, or on what I've seen of Ameraucana color patterns.

Is this typical of Buff Orps? Or do these girls have mixed grandparents? Does this happen at professional hatcheries?

Thank you in advance.

 

[wegotchickens]

I only have 2 Buffs but noticed the same thing on one of mine. It's very faint, though, and on wing feathers more than tail feathers.

 

[tiffanyh]

My two buffs have the same thing---my husband jokes that their tail feathers are mildewing! Actually, that is kind of what it looks like.

 

[justusnak]

I too got my BO from MM...and have been VERY dissapointed. Several of my hens have the same tail coloring....a few have green legs, and one with bright yellow legs. This was my first time ever ordering from a large hatchery...and I have to say, I am very dissapointed.

 

[MayberrySaint]

My BOs from MM have the right colored legs but do have a few mildewy-looking feathers at the tail.

 

[jbkinor]

Every buff orp I've had has had that pattern on a few tail feathers. Don't know if it's standard or not. Kind of pretty though.

 

[hinkjc]

Buff color is one of the most challenging colors to perfect. I am sure hatcheries do not have time to continuously work on this as most breeders do. This is for any buff colored breed, not just orpingtons. Breeders spend years moving birds in and out of pens until they find the right group that produce proper offspring.

What I call "dirt" in the wings and tails of buff colored birds is actually pretty common, even from well known breeders. It comes with the challenge of this color. You can hatch a hundred chicks and only get one with perfect buff color, although when you have the right breeders together that percentage can be improved.

Another issue with buff is white feathers. White and black or 'dirty' feathers in buff colored birds is a no-no for show quality. However it is pretty common in hatchery stock and pet - breeder quality.

Jody

 

[speckledhen]

Wow, I must have lucked out with my Buff Orp girls from Ideal. I knew they in general looked better than others I've seen from even the same hatchery, but neither one has any smutty or white feathers.

 

[LynnGrigg]

Some of buffs from MM have ruddy streaks in their tail feathers. One has pale yellow legs. They are super sweet though so I don't really care. I have no plans to show them. I just hope they stay hardy and lay well. -Lynn

 

[hinkjc]

I also wanted to mention that sometimes that 'dirty' plumage will molt out. Not always, but sometimes. I never judge a buff bird by baby plumage. They change quite a bit until they have their adult plumage. That's not just about the buff, black or white either. Some buff birds get heavy red in the wing bars, which shouldn't be there either. If you're considering showing a buff bird, you really have to raise it up pretty long before deciding if they're proper for color or not...not to mention all the other breed requirements. I don't show personally, but I do know how long it takes for me to decide on keepers versus culls for my buff breeding.

I have also seen buff orps hatch with yellow legs and they turn white by 5 weeks. So I wouldn't panic on the yellow legs for very young chicks..that could change too.

Jody