Scots Grey with black feathers instead of barred?

[WoodenCoyote]

I have four Scots Grey hens, which I bought as roughly 4-week chicks from a heritage breeder near my village. They were entirely identical at first, but now at the 10-week mark one is noticeably different from her sisters. Clorida's feathers are almost completely black, rather then black-and-white barred. Her head is wider, and beak and skin darker, and the feathers are defiantly shaggier. They also seem more pointed at the tips, especially around the neck.

I can't find any pictures of Scots Grey that show anything but the uniformed looking black-and-white barred. Is this just a genetic quirk, or did someone get a little something extra in the back of the woodshed? (as they say)

 

[Michael OShay]

I've never owned Scots Grey hens, but based on everything I've ever seen or heard about them, they are have a distinct black and white barred or cuckoo pattern (very similar to that of a Barred Rock). It certainly seems that Clorida has some other breed in her lineage. She may turn out to be a wonderful chicken, but when you breed your Scots Greys, I would not use her eggs.

 

[WoodenCoyote]

I've never owned Scots Grey hens, but based on everything I've ever seen or heard about them, they are have a distinct black and white barred or cuckoo pattern (very similar to that of a Barred Rock). It certainly seems that Clorida has some other breed in her lineage. She may turn out to be a wonderful chicken, but when you breed your Scots Greys, I would not use her eggs.

I wouldn't say it's all wonderful, but she's certainly got lots of personality

Is it possible for a clutch of eggs to be fertilized by more than one rooster? Or would this be something in her past genetics?

 

[Michael OShay]

Is it possible for a clutch of eggs to be fertilized by more than one rooster? Or would this be something in her past genetics?

Yes, it is definitely possible.