Possible albinos?

[woolwell]

My Buff Orpington hen hatched two chicks about a month ago. The eggs probably weren't hers but all my hens are Buffs except for one Barred Rock. The rooster is a Buff. So why are these chicks white? Is it possible they are albinos? Their eyes seem bluish, but I can't swear to that.

 

[my sunwolf]

Hm... most baby chicks have blue eyes, so that wouldn't point to anything. The barred rock might have contributed a stray gene that made white chicks when mixed with the buff. Not too sure though. Those chicks look like healthy, adorable little roosters, by the way

 

[ESofVA]

True albinos would have pink eyes.

 

[aoxa]

Are you sure your lines are pure?

My RSL hen through white chicks when bred to my barred rock rooster.

 

[my sunwolf]

Are you sure your lines are pure?
My RSL hen through white chicks when bred to my barred rock rooster.

Agreed, a sex link has fairly unknown lineage and, since its a hybrid, doesn't breed true. Could any of your buffs be mixes? Otherwise, the Buff roo x Barred Rock hen produced the white chicks, which is an interesting mix but definitely possible.

 

[ChickenExtreme]

Are you sure your lines are pure?
My RSL hen through white chicks when bred to my barred rock rooster.

X 2 About are you sure your lines are pure?

True albinos would have pink eyes.

X 2

 

[Pele]

Quote:

I agree with the others, impure parent stock. Even good lines can occasionally throw a random recessive curveball at you.