What is a sapphire gem?

[renk777]

We have one who is very dark but so far she hasn’t had any problems. I’m sorry to hear about your little ones cross beak. I attached pictures so you can compare if she is darker or lighter.

So I just went outside and I do believe your girl is darker...though she doesn't share the black eyes. And all my other girls are developing the red area around the eyes and such but not her. She's still all black. Had a filter on when I snapped the photo. ..she doesn't have true blue in her feathers...oops. But the photos are close enough to her coloring as far as darkness goes. We ferment our feed so that's what you see all over her; she's a mess when she eats and can't clean it off properly. Thinking of bathing her but hesitant since she needs to preen and redistribute oil to fluff back up. Thoughts?

 

[PachecoPeeps]

So I just went outside and I do believe your girl is darker...though she doesn't share the black eyes. And all my other girls are developing the red area around the eyes and such but not her. She's still all black. Had a filter on when I snapped the photo. ..she doesn't have true blue in her feathers...oops. But the photos are close enough to her coloring as far as darkness goes. We ferment our feed so that's what you see all over her; she's a mess when she eats and can't clean it off properly. Thinking of bathing her but hesitant since she needs to preen and redistribute oil to fluff back up. Thoughts? View attachment 1373588 View attachment 1373589 View attachment 1373590

When I get home I will try and check if any of mine have black eyes.

 

[Deviledeggmama]

When I get home I will try and check if any of mine have black eyes.

SHe is beautiful tho

 

[renk777]

SHe is beautiful tho

Thank you. With a personality to match

 

[The Moonshiner]

Wondering if in chickens, such a concentration of pigment could be associated with defects as certain colors are associated with lethal genes in other species.

I don't think there is any connection between the.darker color and her cross beak.
I've only had cross beak chicks a couple times and never a blue chick.
I like blues because you can basically have three different colors (bbs) in one breeding pen. With that I've raised bbs in several different breeds over the years without any genetic issues like that.
I think your chick just happens to be the darkest but not related to her issues.

 

[renk777]

I don't think there is any connection between the.darker color and her cross beak.
I've only had cross beak chicks a couple times and never a blue chick.
I like blues because you can basically have three different colors (bbs) in one breeding pen. With that I've raised bbs in several different breeds over the years without any genetic issues like that.
I think your chick just happens to be the darkest but not related to her issues.

Thank you, Moonshiner!

 

[PachecoPeeps]

Here are some updated pictures. They are almost 11 weeks.

 

[renk777]

For a moment, I thought, 'How'd PP get pics of my girls!' Haha They're beautiful! Waiting for eggs from my girls any day.... They're in their 14th week...finished their 13th week yesterday so I expect eggs any time though I don't really believe they'll start laying until after they reach 16 weeks or somewhat there after. Hopefully early June. We feed corn-free, soy-free organic feed so they're growth is probably a bit behind those that are fed conventional feed as both corn and soy put on weight a little faster....as do some of the ingredients in some feed intended to encourage growth. And from what I have read, age isn't really the determining factor as to when a pullet will lay. Size is. Of course, you can't believe everything you read....my roos were proof of that! (Incidentally, they continue to get more barred by the day. Freezer is a steely blue with wider bars. Camper is a more dusky, mauve like blue with micro barring on his neck and typical on his back. Both are so incredibly sweet that I'm saddened that they'll end up in the freezer as soon as they fill out. Really nice roos so far temperament wise. But back to the girls...they're healthy and happy and eggs are imminent!!! Keep me posted if one of your girls drops a golden butt nugget, @PachecoPeeps

 

[Spartan22]

For a moment, I thought, 'How'd PP get pics of my girls!' Haha They're beautiful! Waiting for eggs from my girls any day.... They're in their 14th week...finished their 13th week yesterday so I expect eggs any time though I don't really believe they'll start laying until after they reach 16 weeks or somewhat there after. Hopefully early June. We feed corn-free, soy-free organic feed so they're growth is probably a bit behind those that are fed conventional feed as both corn and soy put on weight a little faster....as do some of the ingredients in some feed intended to encourage growth. And from what I have read, age isn't really the determining factor as to when a pullet will lay. Size is. Of course, you can't believe everything you read....my roos were proof of that! (Incidentally, they continue to get more barred by the day. Freezer is a steely blue with wider bars. Camper is a more dusky, mauve like blue with micro barring on his neck and typical on his back. Both are so incredibly sweet that I'm saddened that they'll end up in the freezer as soon as they fill out. Really nice roos so far temperament wise. But back to the girls...they're healthy and happy and eggs are imminent!!! Keep me posted if one of your girls drops a golden butt nugget, @PachecoPeeps

You guys are all so far along, my Gems are 8 wks and 5 days, still can’t tell the roo from the pullets only thing I’ve noticed was 2 charges me when I get near them. Way different from my Black Copper Marans @ 4-5 wks old you can tell whose the roos right away, red wattles and bigger red combs, unfortunately I got 8 roos out of 10 hatched.

 

[Citychickengal]

Hi from GA! I’ve been lurking on this thread but didn’t have an account to comment until now! I recently got an 8 week old SG pullet, so I’ve been trying to find more info on the breed; there isn’t much out there so you guys have been helpful! She’s a very friendly & curious gal, I’ll attach a photo of her from last week, she’s about 10 weeks now. I’d love to see updated photos as some of your older ladies grow up, curious what the adult hens look like, and also very curious about egg color!