can a chicken change colors?

[La Casa de Pollo]

I wonder if this is like "gray hair" on older people...as they age they turn white instead? Very interesting! and 9 yrs old WOW that is awesome! How many of those years did she lay for? Just wondering how long they can go.

 

[Meredith MMH]

I don't know if anyone will read this as I've only just found this post and nobody's said anything But...

I have a gold-laced polish, she's about 4 years old now and still one of my best layers, since she was 2 when I git her she's getting whiter every year, she started with just a bit in her crest but it's mover on to her back now, have to see what she looks like in a few years time....

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

You should post a pic for comparison! Interesting. And that is awesome she is still laying at 4 yrs.

 

[BackyardCoop]

Wow! I have never seen such a change! My RIR's just got darker. That is crazy, but really cool!!!

 

[sjshaw1980]

I've got a formerly white EE who is turning silver after her first molt! Almost the color of a porcelain d'uccle

 

[Henk69]

I've got a formerly white EE who is turning silver after her first molt! Almost the color of a porcelain d'uccle

white and silver would be the same color...

 

[sjshaw1980]

Henk69 - oh no it's not! We are talking a snow white pullet changing to a thundercloud gray pullet. Most definitely NOT the same color, by a long shot.

 

[Chris09]

Henk69 - oh no it's not! We are talking a snow white pullet changing to a thundercloud gray pullet. Most definitely NOT the same color, by a long shot.

In poultry Silver IS the same color as "White", in fact there are three (3) types of White, Dominate, Recessive and Sex-link Silver.

Silver -

Dominate White -

Recessive White --

Chris

 

[sjshaw1980]

Then perhaps I am using the wrong genetic term....she is turning from "white" to "gray". That better?

 

[TShelton54]

Dark birds turning white is not uncommon. It is a condition called Spontaneous Amelanosis. It happens quite often in Black birds. As far as a white bird turning gray, I am sure that can happen too. If the pigment blockers that make a bird white turn off then pigment will start to appear in the feathers. TShelton54