Non-speckled specked sussex?

[labelcherky]

Hi everyone. I have two 18 week old pullets that I bought as day olds from the local feed store (who supposedly got them from Cackle Hatchery). They have the beautiful mahogany under color and black markings but so far no white at all. I've read that they get more white with age, but is is typical to have no white at this stage? They almost look with my GLW at that age but their pattern is not defined like a GLW.


Will they start looking more speckled as they get older? Or are they probably not speckled sussex?


Thank you!

 

[Michael OShay]

It sounds like they are not Speckled Sussex as they should be showing some white speckling. It's impossible to say what they are without some pics. I would suggest posting some photos of them on our What Breed or Gender is This? section and let us take a look at them there.

 

[N F C]

They do get more white markings as they get older and go through molting but at 18 weeks of age they should be showing speckles. At least the ones I have did. If I remember correctly, there were tiny specks on their wings when they were as young as 2-3 weeks old.

As Michael O'Shay said, a photo would be helpful.

 

[labelcherky]

Thank you both. Been hard to get home before dark to get pics but I finally got some today.

 

[labelcherky]

 

[N F C]

Here's a photo of one of my SS, she's older than your girl (Peanut was 9 mos. in the picture) but you can see there isn't any resemblance between the two birds.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,

Your new birds look like Welsummers. That's a fun breed and lays dark brown eggs.
If you got them while still in the chick down I can see how the mistake was made.
The chicks aren't that much different in color in the down stage if the Speckled Sussex were
based on the e+ ( wildtype) allele and not the eb(Brown) allele. In the USA e+ is
common for Speckled Sussex, I think.
The difference in down is that the eb chick has a brown helmet. The e+ chick has
an arrow of brown down ascending up the nape of its neck and crossing the top of
the skull. So if your Speckled Sussex chicks were e+ they would have looked very
much like the Welsummer chicks which are e+.
Best,
Karen
An allele is the genetic canvas upon which the colors are painted.
speckled Sussex chicks in down (e+):
https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/show_p...e2013.JPG&sp=5af128cfaaaa173788c9ae3e2189cea3
Welsummer chicks in down (e+):
3rd, 4th and 5th pics are Welsummer chick.
http://sesameseeddesigns.com/blog/2014/03/baby-chicks/

Here is a pic of an eb chick exhibiting the "brown helmet". Actually this chick was e+/eb. One copy of each allele. I hatched him. He feathered out like an e+ rooster. But his chick down is definitely eb. He was a Marans. the White chick is (I think) what is called a "White Pearl" but don't quote me on that.

 

[labelcherky]

Thank you Karen! I have Marans the same age and was so impressed that they were laying so well. Guess some of those eggs were welsummer!

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

 

[3riverschick]

Thank you Karen! I have Marans the same age and was so impressed that they were laying so well. Guess some of those eggs were welsummer!

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

Marans? These could be Golden Salmon Marans. Hum. You need to send these pics to Bev Davis. She is creating a strain of Golden Salmon Marans. I think I see autosomal red in these birds which the GSM should not have. I will be real interested to see what Bev Davis says. Tell her Karen Tewart sent you.
Here's her website. http://www.bevsmarans.com/
Here's pics of Bev's Golden Salmon Marans, see what I mean about resemblance? GSM are e+ .
http://www.bevsmarans.com/goldensalmon.html
I am going to stick with Welsummer. Real interesting to see how Bev will weigh in.

 

[Michael OShay]

The lighting is poor in the pic, but the legs look yellow. If so they are Welsummers. Marans have white legs, usually with some feathering on them.