Is the consensus still diluted Chocolate?

[Lothiriel]

I got some new pictures of my supposed "Royal Purple" keet. I was told last time that she's a diluted Chocolate and just wanted to see if you still think so.

All the photos are in natural daylight, btw. No flash or anything.






Close up of her back up near her neck...

 

[JLeigh]

Whatever she is, she's beautiful. I think I'm going to have to have some chocolates before all is said and done.

 

[Lothiriel]

Thanks. She really is gorgeous.

 

[PeepsCA]

She's feathering in nice and dark now... she's a little lighter compared to the Chocolates I am used to hatching/raising (they stay especially dark in the flank area), but I'd say she's maturing into the normal Chocolate color range now. Congrats, she'll be a beaut!

One of my slightly sunfaded Chocolate Hens... (but still dark in the flank area):


One of my Chocolate and Royal Purples, side by side comparison:

 

[StevenW.]

Absolutely stunning birds! I LOVE the partially-pearled birds the best!

 

[Lothiriel]

Thanks, Peeps! I sure hope she grows up to be like yours... She's gorgeous!

 

[Lothiriel]

Here's an updated picture of Gretel, now at 16 weeks! She's so pretty. <3

 

[wolfpak]

Wow! Stunning girl. What a lovely & striking color, the pearling pattern on her is beautiful.... I'm brand new to guineas (mine are almost 3 wks) but have admired them for years. The out of control tick situation tipped the balance for me this year, so nice to see what these beautiful & exotic creatures look like as they grow & develop. Thanks for sharing your great pics of yours!

 

[Lothiriel]

Thank you for the compliments and you're welcome. I got guineas this year for the exact same reason: an overpopulation of ticks. Since I've had mine out free ranging I haven't had any ticks on me, my family members, dogs, or cats. Looks like they're doing their job!

Good luck with yours!

 

[PeepsCA]

I agree, she's a Gorgeous Girl! Not diluted any more, she darkened up nicely

My last 2 hatching seasons all of my Chocolates have been really dark from the start... they all looked the same at hatch and all looked very similar as they feathered out... Seemed to be the norm for my flock's hatches. But this season, out of 20+Chocolates that I've hatched I have had some lighter looking Chocolate keets go both directions, some feathered out darker and some feathered out lighter (all Hens, and then I have 2 dark males)... Makes guessing what they will mature as pretty difficult