Juvenile Moult? And ID help plz

[droy1028]

Ms Biddy what age were you able to start seeing the difference in your fibro chicks between pullet or cockerel?

 

[Ms Biddy]

Aw, thank you! I would guess the seller was being honest with you. AC's are not really rare anymore, although quality is very variable. Good luck!

 

[Ms Biddy]

Ms Biddy what age were you able to start seeing the difference in your fibro chicks between pullet or cockerel?

I can tell by 6 weeks, if not sooner. Pretty much like any other chicken. With all black birds watch for pointed saddle feathers and differences in feather sheen there and in the hackle.

 

[aart]

Most likely, this chick carries the tardy feathering gene. In my experience it is not uncommon in AC's and some other fibro breeds. I have a line of Hmong meat chickens that also carries it. It is not an indicator of breed, just a gene that causes short down that falls out faster than the feathers grow. The chick will feather out normally and eventually be no different from its peers.

Good to know!