Same Speckled Sussex Pairing- Two distinct Chick Downs? Is this possible?

[RememberTheWay]

I have been hatching chicks from the same Speckled Sussex hen/roo pair for about a month maybe longer now. Only problem is some of the chicks hatched have a different type of down. And they randomly pop up. First came the all dark mahogany chicks then one chipmunk, then more of the first, then a couple chipmunk, etc.....

Has anyone seen this with Speckled Sussex chicks before and can someone please explain to me what might be going on?

This pair is in a pen by themselves no escapes and no break ins....

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

Are they growing up to be Speckled Sussex, if so than I’d just say that the mom or dads family had the darker colors, but I did just look it up and pure speckled Sussex come in both dark and chipmunk

 

[MountainWoman73]

The dark ones are really cute. I'd love to see how they feather in when they grow.

 

[RiDaGeckoGuy]

I just found something weird, McMurray hatchery has dark chicks while hilltop farms has light

McMurray^

Hiltop^

 

[Farmgirl283420]

This is interesting

 

[GlicksChicks]

I am thinking it depends on the line of SS you have. My SS were chipmunk pattern as chicks. Thst really dark one with no stripes does not look much like a SS to me. Are you 100% sure that the SS you have are pure?

 

[RememberTheWay]

I am thinking it depends on the line of SS you have. My SS were chipmunk pattern as chicks. Thst really dark one with no stripes does not look much like a SS to me. Are you 100% sure that the SS you have are pure?

Yes, I'm sure. But anything is possible. All boxes are tucked for speckled Sussex for both of them though. And yes, so far the feathers that have been coming in do appear to be right for Speckled Sussex juveniles. I know with some of my other hatches (other breeds) I've seen strange things happen with chick down- like three different, completely different colored downs -example blue looking chick, black down looking chick, and a yellow chick all feathered out to be the same general variety. Mille Fleur. Now I do not have any clue on parentage or lines with those they were purchased hatching eggs but I know at hatch I thought for sure I had three different colored birds only for their feathers to come in and they were all MF

Not sure if this is even possible or if it even makes sense in this scenario - but I was wondering if all speckled Sussex have the mahogany gene or only some of them? Is it possible that that modifier could be causing the difference in chick downs?

I will post progression photos of all the chicks to show what happens as they feather out. Kind of intrigued myself at this point.

Thst really dark one with no stripes does not look much like a SS to me.

Yes, I'm sure. But anything is always possible when it comes to chicks. But I agree the darker chicks were the first to hatch out and I was perplexed at the time too and then just thought maybe it's these birds. Hen and roo are totally unrelated. Btw. Then when I started to see the down switch back forth between traditional Sussex to the darker Sussex I wasn't sure what to think either....

 

[GlicksChicks]

I've seen strange things happen with chick down- like three different, completely different colored downs -example blue looking chick, black down looking chick, and a yellow chick all feathered out to be the same general variety.

Makes sense, it is always likely to get some variation. I just didn't expect as much of a variation as that dark one. It is adorable though!

I was wondering if all speckled Sussex have the mahogany gene or only some of them?

It could be possible, I don't know much about selective breeding at the moment, but I aim to learn more and I LOVE Speckled Sussex!

I will post progression photos of all the chicks to show what happens as they feather out.

I'm excited to see what the little one ends up looking like!