Edited title: Where is brown coming from? Pics incl.

[joletabey]

I have three two week old Blue Orp roo x Delaware hen chicks. Two had head spots, I understand they are cockerels. One of those is growing in barred feathers, so will have the cuckoo pattern and one is very light blue. The third chick looks black, does not have a head spot, so I am assuming it's female. However this weekend I noticed BROWN barring or spotting coming in on her shoulders. Any ideas as to who/what/why?

 

[ve]

Post pictures in few weeks.May be that is not barring

 

[kathyinmo]

Interesting, that's for sure! I wish I knew more about genetics!

 

[ve]

This is not barring.That is Gold leakage.Your Orpington roo is hiding Gold and this babie is a girl for sure

 

[joletabey]

I am glad it's a girl, her name is Belle! I didn't really want to change it to Ben. Gold leakage, huh? I wonder if that will come out only in crosses like Belle, or in pure Orps, too.

 

[speckledhen]

Beth, Suede gets very brassy/gold just before his molt. When he gets new feathers, they are nice blue, but they fade and become brassy again. I'm betting Ultrasuede has that same trait.

 

[joletabey]

Cyn, yes, Ultrasuede's hackle feathers in particular have that happening right now, some of it I figured was sun bleach, but molting is always a possibility- I don't think he has had a good one yet.
Isn't she just a little sweetie, though? I am SO glad I got one daughter of his, even if it is a cross.