Unusual Orpington color-what is it?

[tberggren]

I am very bewildered. I ended up with 5 Orpington's from Gordie. 2 roosters a black and also a blue, and one each black, blue and splash hens. I am getting some really unusual colors and just wonder what your thoughts are and if this is something you would recommend exploring.

This guy I know my Splash hen laid and hatched out as she was separated and sitting on some shipped eggs (different breed), but apparently laid this egg also. He is about 12 weeks (I think) and continues to get more and more red with each passing week.

Here is another shot.

I apologize that the pictures are not clearer, he is a tough one to catch on film.

Recently I noticed that one of my blue Orps (about the same age) is starting to show some gold coloring on the breast. The photo is very bad but I think you can see the ting of gold coming through

If this was to be pursued just what would the color be?? Or is it to early to tell?

 

[Mahonri]

He is a mix of some sort.

 

[tberggren]

I am sorry but there is no way he is a mix. The hen was locked up and no one was able to get in there, and there are no other roosters.

 

[ve]

Every male bird has 2 genes for gold -ss; or 2 for silver.In most cases black or blue birds are silver-SS but they can hide one gold and be Ss.I think one or both your roosters carry gold and some hen may carry gold so you have gold male babies-ss

 

[tberggren]

Quote:
So is this just going to cause an unwanted mess or could it be used as a basis for a different color pattern?

 

[tadkerson]

What you have in your birds is not unusual. Black birds need genes to cover the red or white that shows through the black. Your birds do not carry enough genes to cover the black. Your male bird carries a gene called columbian and that is causing the red on his breast.

Tim

 

[tberggren]

So my question is, is this a bad thing or could it be something to work with to create another color pattern for the Orpington breed?

 

[tberggren]

Quote:
Hi Tim

The same roosters produced this

Does that make it more conclusive regarding the possibility of the Columbian gene being present?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Two comments.

Black and blue do not "usually" carry silver. They are as likely to carry gold or be het. (if male). As Tim said, melanizers cover the appearance of the S-gene on a quality blue or black bird.

You said the hen was sitting on shipped eggs. Could be one or two of those was not what they were supposed to be, giving you your two unexpected birds.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

The thing that confuses me is that you said your splash hen laid the egg but that cockerel is black and gold, if he were from your splash hen he would be blue.

The pullet pictured looks awesome, its like a pencilled hamburg x partridge cross or something, well thats what it reminds me of.