Mysterious Color Change

[MysteryChicken]

No wonder my white hens look like that!

Wow!
So, if I wanted to keep them a more pure white, I would take them off the corn-related feed?

Most feed has some amount, of corn, but you can find one with less corn to keep the plumage more whiter.

 

[Fallenone05]

So this thread made me curious and a google article said that corn, dark leafy greens, grass and marigolds can cause yellowing of the feathers.

The feed that I have contains marigold to give yolks a richer orange color.

This sounds like beta carotene, or some form of carotenoid, causing yellowing, as grass, most leafy greens, and corn all contain it. The sun can also bleach out chickens or give them what's called brassiness, which can also cause yellowing on white feathers.

It might also just be genetics at play.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So this thread made me curious and a google article said that corn, dark leafy greens, grass and marigolds can cause yellowing of the feathers.

This sounds like beta carotene, or some form of carotenoid, causing yellowing, as grass, most leafy greens, and corn all contain it. The sun can also bleach out chickens or give them what's called brassiness, which can also cause yellowing on white feathers.

It might also just be genetics at play.

I believe it's something genetic going on, since I've never had this happen until now. She's molting out the white feathers.

Her father is also showing signs of changing color, but her mother is still pure white.


Half sister's are still pure white too.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Yep, dominant white.

Hoover's.

Oh OK. Now it makes sense.