We have a RIR hen about 2.5 years old, just went thru a molt and as she gets new feathers in they are white! She looks like a mottled RIR - anyone else seen this or know about it? Thanks
Quote:Where did you get your R.I. Reds from? If you got them from a hatchery I would say that they are a Production Red and not a Rhode Island Red but there are a few thing that will make R.I. Red feathers turn/ molt to White. 1 - Breeding, genetically they are not pure R.I. Red and may have other breeds (that shouldn't be) in there make up. 2 - Nutrition, What feed are you feeding, it could be lacking in something needed to keed there nice dark coloring. 3 - Stress, Sometimes stress will cause White feathering. Chris
It's funny, but this has come up twice this week, so I happen to have a handy link: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/studying/feathers/color_ab I hope it helps. Good luck.
Thank you for your response. Feeding - same as we been - Purina Layena, grains, sunflower seeds. We got her form McMurray Hatchery. She is at least looking more active and a little less lethargic. - this has been over a period of several months - turning white. Our other RIR just went thru a hard molt - not as bad a last year and all looks "normal" with her. Stress may be the issue for her. We have added our hatch to the flock over a period of months - they were raised next to the each other seperated by fencing - 3-4 mths to get used to each other 20 of the original flock and 35 of the hatch. The mixing went very well - but maybe this is a pecking order reaction. Good news is she is more active and looking better. She just has her own unique idea of style - she is expressing herself - actually that is probably the case. Thank you - will keep in touch
