This might not be the right topic area, but . . .

[Quella]

does the feather-coloring of the chicken affect the heat absorption? Sort of like the black-and-white T-shirts?

 

[ghulst]

Not sure on chickens but it does on pigeons. I raced homing pigeon for years. On a 400 mile race that it was clear skies and 90 degrees plus all the way I sent 12 birds and all the lightest birds were day birds and the 2 dark birds came home on the next day. They couldn't take the heat from the sun.

 

[al6517]

it is the same with most animals, darker colors hold ( absorb ) more heat, lighter colors reflect the light ( less heat ). so I would say that darker colored chickens may get a little warmer, they are the ones that move to the shade first. but it does keep them warmer in the winter sun.

AL