Hen changing colour

[Eevee]

Hi everyone,

So I am new to chickens this year. I have 3 hens about (16months) and 3 pullets about (40weeks old). While the older ons have done small molts, this seems to be the time of year that the 3 hens are doing a bigger molt. My Wyandotte and silkie have pretty much finished and my bantam cochin has started a little while ago. My question is it normal for a change in colour after the first big molt? I don't really know what colour she is, I assumed a buff or buff like colour. Now that her new feather are coming in much darker. I don't really care if she changes colour as she is a pet but I want to make sure its nothing that I should be concerned about.

Emmett before

Emmett now (chest and wings starting to get the dark feathers)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes color can change during a molt. Certain colors lighten up and others can darken. New feathers are always darker than old feathers.

Sometimes the color change is temporary as feathers continue to come in.

It's nothing to worry about.

 

[tn_artist]

I don't have any help to give, but wanted to say those are some beautiful girls.

 

[Skippersnh]

I didn't read what you said I like the pics mostly but from the looks of it your birds have worms

 

[so lucky]

I didn't read what you said I like the pics mostly but from the looks of it your birds have worms

Why do you say that?

 

[Skippersnh]

Why else would a chicken change colors

 

[Eevee]

Yes color can change during a molt. Certain colors lighten up and others can darken. New feathers are always darker than old feathers.

Sometimes the color change is temporary as feathers continue to come in.

It's nothing to worry about.

Thankyou. None of the others changed in colour but they are different breeds.

 

[Eevee]

I didn't read what you said I like the pics mostly but from the looks of it your birds have worms

Is it just because she changed colour? I sent a stool sample to the vet earlier in the year just to check when I added my pullets and she said everything looked fine for worms/parasites. Should I do another sample?

 

[Eevee]

I don't have any help to give, but wanted to say those are some beautiful girls.

Thankyou

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I didn't read what you said I like the pics mostly but from the looks of it your birds have worms

Worms seems to be your go to answer. You can't tell if a critter has worms solely by looking at a picture unless you are looking at the color of the mucous membranes.