Old Sumatra?

[Alycia]

My Black Sumatra rooster is getting white feathers! I am not sure how old he is as I just got him a summer or two ago as an adult from VT. What does this white feathering mean?

 

[NYREDS]

It means he's getting old. Not uncommon for black birds to get some white feathers as they age.

 

[easttxchick]

Not unusual at all for them to get some white feathers after a molt.
Sometimes a hen will get some after sitting a clutch. I've been told stress can also cause white feathers to grow in-kinda like it does with us humans.

Are the feathers all white or just the tips?

 

[Alycia]

Just the tips are turning white!

 

[easttxchick]

It's no big deal-next molt, he may or may not have the same issue.
It all depends on the birds-lots of times you will find these stray white feathers/white tipped feathers on Sumatras-doesn't mean they are old(although he could be).

 

[GlitterKitty]

All my black chickens get white feathers when they molt

 

[TK Poultry]

as my black ducks get older they get more white feathers....but I don't know if this holds true for chickens. if it was age the whole feather should turn white correct?

 

[flgardengirl]

I have had chickens who have had thier feathers pulled out by other mean chickens and the new ones grew in white. They seem to molt back out to the original color after awhile. I can see where it is growing out black again on my black hen (back of the neck)... and the tips are white. She has black roots LOL!

 

[Alycia]

Hmmm I wonder. My mother noticed it, as I am 12 hours away from home right now in college. If I can, I'll take a look at it when I'm home for Thanksgiving and maybe post picture. She says it doesn't look like regular old molting.

Thanks guys for your help! Interesting stuff!