Cornish X w/black feathers?

[jennifer0224]

Hello,

This is my second time raising Cornish X and this time around, I have a few birds that have black feathers here and there. When I google "Cornish X w/black feathers" nothing at all comes up to indicate this is a normal variation. Do you think I did not get actual Cornish X this time around? Thanks!

 

[Kessel23]

I had multiple CX chicks with black speckles this spring. I have never had any like that before. I got mine from McMurray, where did yours come from? The black speckled ones did just as well as the others, I noticed no difference other than the speckles.

 

[jennifer0224]

That's a good question, I really don't know. I will have to call now and find out I usually just call the local feed store and they put an order into "the hatchery".

Glad to hear they turned out okay for you and I notice the same so far - they are 5 weeks and look anatomically the same as the other birds, and they have feathered out at the same rate. The only difference is those random few black feathers on about 20% of them.

Thanks!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

It could be a recessive gene hiding in the hatchery’s parent stock.

 

[Ridgerunner]

What you are seeing is leakage. All chicken feathers are red or black as a base. White is not a "natural" base color for chicken feathers. There are genetic modifiers that turn red or black fathers white or different colors. Different companies that produce Cornish X have different genetic combinations but they are often based on black. Looks like yours are. Occasionally that base color can leak through.

In theory this cockerel should be solid black but you can see where the buff (modified red) leaked through.

The white birds in this photo should be solid white but again you can see some examples of leakage. Different colors or patterns for different cockerels. These are not Cornish X, they are a cross between RI Reds an RI Whites. Since your chicks are matching the others growth I don't see any issues for you.