You mean even when young, in the transitional stages, they’re still not supposed to have black heads? Mine aren’t from show lines, and I don’t really care either way, I’m just wondering if I can use the black head for sexing, and if both sexes could have it when young.Occasionally partridge will feather out like that, but generally partridge aren't really supposed to have black heads. It's referred to as Moore Head, & is a disqualification if you're showing.
This is my male partridge orp from last year at 4 weeks and 6 weeks. His head and neck feathers came in black from the start, and remained black until about 6 months old or so, when they changed to orange.