Question for SLW folks

[PtldChick]

I have a SLW pullet (90%) I purchased from a local chicken/garden store. Their stock comes from a hatchery, not sure which one. She is now 7-8 weeks old and is not showing any signs of lacing on her body - just white spines on her black feathers. Her head/mantle looks normal. When does the lacing come in, or do I just have a really bad quality SLW?

I realize hatchery birds are not SQ, but they are still supposed to look like the breed at least somewhat...

If she is a poor quality SLW, I will not buy from that particular store again, because the Salmon Faverolle I got from there at the same time was also poorly colored - lots of grey where there should have been white, so whatever hatchery they use, I'm not impressed.

I just have a backyard flock, but I wanted a pretty one (no hybrids, just less common breeds, plus a few EEs). I'm wondering if I should re-home "Silver" to folks who are more interested in eggs than looks, and try again with another SLW, GLW or BW.

Thanks.

 

[kesali]

My 8-week old SLW's are like yours and have almost no lacing. Mine came from Meyer hatchery, so I did not expect SQ either. But, I noticed on other young SLW's on BYC photos that many of them do not have much lacing either. Maybe they have to get older. One can only hope!!

 

[PeakyBeaky]

From the photos I've seen from other folks that have gotten hatchery birds, the lacing just takes a longer time to feather in.

 

[PtldChick]

Thanks, PeakyBeaky.

I know where Bellefonte is, I attended college right up the road...Go Lions!