Grey Chick ! From buff sussex parents ?

[nicalandia]

There are similarities.

Brahmas are Partridge X Columbian. What causes the grey in Brahma chick down?

The eb/eb e allele + Columbian causes the grey body with yellow head on chicks, Wheaten just looks yellow

 

[MysteryChicken]

The eb/eb e allele + Columbian causes the grey body with yellow head on chicks, Wheaten just looks yellow

Yep, I know about the Wheaten, even know it has done funny things.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So I have a pair of buff sussex chickens that i hatched earlier this year from hatching eggs. The hen started laying last month and I have now incubated the first batch of her eggs. In total I have incubated 8 eggs. They are still hatching, however i am surprised to see the first chick that has hatched is grey in colour ! In comparison the second chick that has hatched is a pale yellow, the same as its parents.

Does anyone know what has caused this change in colour and what kind of 'buff sussex' or ' grey sussex' chicken i may end up with ? Pics are attached.

Is the Pullet's legs yellow? They look yellow in the picture.

 

[Faraz1]

Interesting discussion. Thank you all for participating.

@nicalandia Thanks for the detailed information. Do you know any good resources/books to understand and study more about genetics and what kind of genes causes the colours ?

@MysteryChicken yes you are correct, the legs are yellow/orangeish, the same colour as the other chicks !

Attached are some clearer pics ! (I hope). 3/8 have hatched now. 2 are yellow and this is the only grey one so far.

 

[nicalandia]

Interesting discussion. Thank you all for participating.

@nicalandia Thanks for the detailed information. Do you know any good resources/books to understand and study more about genetics and what kind of genes causes the colours ?

There is not a single book you can learn or study, most of them don't mention what type of chick down color you can expect. I am just good with genetics, I have a photographic memory and have learn over the many years on how different breeds should look like as chick and as adults and every single gene/mutation that makes their phenotype. I just saw the chick and a few nanoseconds later I knew what type of chick it was.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Interesting discussion. Thank you all for participating.

@nicalandia Thanks for the detailed information. Do you know any good resources/books to understand and study more about genetics and what kind of genes causes the colours ?

@MysteryChicken yes you are correct, the legs are yellow/orangeish, the same colour as the other chicks !

Attached are some clearer pics ! (I hope). 3/8 have hatched now. 2 are yellow and this is the only grey one so far.

If the pullet/mother has yellow legs, then she's probably not pure for Sussex.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Let's see how the chick grows up. I do agree there's Columbian influence due to the parents, but there also seems to be other genes at play.

 

[Faraz1]

If the pullet/mother has yellow legs, then she's probably not pure for Sussex.

What colour legs does a pure sussex hen have ?

 

[Faraz1]

Let's see how the chick grows up. I do agree there's Columbian influence due to the parents, but there also seems to be other genes at play.

5 out of 8 hatched now.

Got 2 grey and 3 yellow. Hopefully 2 more will hatch and I will post pictures tomorrow. Unfortunately 1 chick looks like a dud. No movement or pipping so far.

 

[MysteryChicken]

What colour legs does a pure sussex hen have ?

White, just like your rooster/cockerel.