the chick here looks paint to me (I/i+). Paint varies depending on genes like melanisers.
The thing is, dominant white does not mask everything like recessive white, it only replaces black. As a result, any red which would show still appears on dominant white or paint birds. The leakage is a...
I suppose they have so many feathers to moult and grow back they could start early to ensure it’s all done by winter. I’ll have to look back at photos to see what time of year they started last time.
My Brahmas have all started moulting already. I think they are fed up of this heatwave. Hopefully means they are ready to lay through the winter, though I’m probably being optimistic.
Mostly just see how they breed. Eggs should be consistently dark and they should have good Marans type, no other recessive alleles. It’s mostly things you discover as you breed them.
Yes, yellow shanks are a recessive allele so it will take some work and test mating, but it’s certainly possible.
My only concern is that pure marans shouldn’t have yellow legs (though some of my original ones did), so checking for purity may be in order.
13, the Duke of Wellington. Fattening up well, very wide at the front and hips. I have a feeling he’s going to be a big, chunky cockerel. No sign of a high tail thus far, so fingers crossed.
12, Mole, the DCM pullet. Caught up to the BCMs in size, her barring is becoming more uniform. Good flat back (I don’t know why her feathers were sticking up when I took the photos). Rectangle type with low tail so far.
11, the BCM cockerel. Big, same problems with over colour as Joan, you can clearly see the bright quills of the feathers on the front, plus far too much copper lacing. Still looking forward to seeing him feather out.
I guess the over-coloured BCMs may be suitable for the Golden cuckoo project...
10, Claudie, still moulting out the white from her chick feathers. Eyes still bright green, no mossiness. Tail quite long but pointy. Brilliant type, very long and flat back.