My black Australorp changed colors! Weird...PiC HEAVY

[Pharm Girl]

My black australorp ,Sidney, has always looked like, well, a black australorp. Solid black feathers that glow green in the sunshine. She was as australorpy as any australorp could be. This fall she decided to molt, because why not? Out dropped the feathers and away she went. That was a couple of months ago. Since then I've noticed she is covered in pin feathers which show up white and look like dandruff in her otherwise beautiful plumage. I decided to get a closer look to see why she is still all motley and guess what? Every new black feather has a white tip! From her head to her panties, she's turning into a speckled sussex or a barred rock or something else entirely!

Here is her feather progression:

"I look like a normal australorp chick!" says Sidney down in front.

1yr. old enjoying the beginning of spring:

Really, I'm a black australorp!

"I'm squuushed!"

Post molt:

Tipped in white!

Frosted Australorp, it's the NEW thing.

Even the back!

Cute sisters...

 

[SIMPleChick]

Oh how silly! Look at that! She looks just like my BA, I have no idea! LOL! But she still looks happy!

 

[egglicious]

She is not purebred. Definitely part chameleon!!

 

[wbruder17]

She's aging! Don't all older creatures begin to get grey? I don't see why chickens should be any different. Its distinguished!

 

[egglicious]

Quote:
Get that girl some "Nice n' Easy" asap!!

 

[<3 N.C Chicken Chick <3]

mighty morphin power chicken.

 

[clairabean]

I want a frosted australop!

 

[Pharm Girl]

Quote:
LOL. Maybe it will be the new breed for 2012.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Mine is doing the same thing except with brown feather and it's a rooster and he's only 11 weeks old.

 

[Pharm Girl]

Their color changes a lot in the first 6 months as new crops of feathers emerge, especially with roosters. I love watching roo's change and evolve. I just didn't expect it to happen at two years.