I just noticed this today on one of my 5-6 month old Black Orpingtons. Both his parents are black, and he comes from black only lines. I thought his wing was injured until I caught him and took a closer look. He has a few of these red feathers coming in on each wing.
In the sunlight he's not solid black like everybody else. He has some shiny black feathers, and some that are more of a dull brown (a lot like the patchwork effect we've been talking about). Unfortunately my husband didn't capture that too well in the pics, i'll try to get some more. The camera washed him out, but the feathers are very red.
He is most definitely purebred, his parents have been cooped together for nearly a year, and there aren't any other chickens even in the same barn. What on earth happened? Is he of any use for breeding projects, or is he dinner?
In the sunlight he's not solid black like everybody else. He has some shiny black feathers, and some that are more of a dull brown (a lot like the patchwork effect we've been talking about). Unfortunately my husband didn't capture that too well in the pics, i'll try to get some more. The camera washed him out, but the feathers are very red.
He is most definitely purebred, his parents have been cooped together for nearly a year, and there aren't any other chickens even in the same barn. What on earth happened? Is he of any use for breeding projects, or is he dinner?
