Chick feather color vs adult color

[StarMeKritten]

I am wondering if the first flight feathers that start coming in are a good indication of adult color. I am a little confused right now because my less than a week old australorps have white wing feathers coming in. Will they feather in black later? Or did this lady sell me some mixed breed hatching eggs?

 

[Farmer Viola]

Their feathers will change many times as they grow up and reach adulthood. The colors can also change several times between now and then.
I have not raised Australorps from chicks though, so I cannot say whether or not that is the correct coloring for an australorp.



First Juvenile Molt ('mini-molt')
There are actually two, juvenile or "mini molts" as I like to call them, before a chicken's first annual molt. The first mini molt begins at 6-8 days old and is complete by approximately 4 weeks when the chick's down is replaced by its first feathers.

Second Juvenile Molt ('mini molt')
The second mini molt occurs between 7-12 weeks old and the chicken's first feathers are replaced by its second feathers. It is at this
time that a rooster's distinguishing, ornamental feathers will appear.

ANNUAL MOLT
All chickens will molt annually, their first occurs around 16-18 months of age. During a molt, chickens will lose their feathers and grow new ones. Molting occurs in response to decreased light as summer ends and winter approaches. Given that feathers consist of 85% protein, feather production places great demands on a chicken's energy and nutrient stores, as a result, egg production is likely to drop or cease completely until the molt is finished.

read more - http://www.grit.com/animals/molting-what-is-it--how-to-help-chickens-get-through-it.aspx

 

[tundrabehr]

The white wing feathers are totally normal on very young birds. Dont worry they will be totally black by adulthood.

 

[StarMeKritten]

Thank you for the information! This is my second hatch- the first group is 6.5 weeks old now. They have feathered in really nicely. I didn't realize that they would be molting again so soon! I have grown chickens too but these two groups have been the first that I've raised from chicks. The first ones I hatched are buffs. Their first feathers came in buff from the beginning. I really wasn't expecting to see white feathers coming in on a chick that's supposed to be black. I guess time will tell!

 

[pinkhistorycat]

I was also surprised at the babies multi color...my first were also buffs ..its nice to be able to tell them apart this round...as before I always forgot who I picked up and who I did not.