Brown leghorn turning white

[TAM Farm]

This girl is about 18 months. After her fall molt some of her feathers came in white. I'm wondering what might cause the white feathers?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hopefully someone else will chime in. My birds are supposed to be all black but some have a few white feathers after molt. During a discussion with genetic expert, Sigrid Van Dort, she informed me that white isn't a color but rather an absence of color. So that may be a thought process.

 

[coach723]

A common cause is from the genetic line not being pure, a breed mix in the lineage somewhere. I've had hatchery birds that had white feathers after molt, then the feathers returned to the 'normal' color next molt. Sometimes the stress of an illness or injury, worming during molt (sometimes it's not apparent molt has started, when it has), or nutritional deficiencies can be a cause. I have a roo that has been battling a foot infection, and he has a few white feathers after molt this year. If the bird seems healthy other wise, I wouldn't worry too much. She may lose the white ones with her next molt.

 

[TAM Farm]

She is a hatchery girl. Thank you for your response. She does seem healthy.

 

[BY Bob]

Perhaps there is a little white leghorn in her ancestors. My Patsy gets more red feathers every molt. Maybe she will wind up all white some day!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

isn't she a lovely girl! I love the white spots. I've had more than one chicken molt for the first time and had her feathers come in a little different.
One of mine didn't have a crest for her first year, but grew one after she molted (to my delight!).

 

[Chicky313]

I have a white leghorn that was completely white before her molt and after, she developed grayish black spots on her feathers! Now she looks exactly like my barred leghorn crosses. I thought she was full leghorn but maybe shes a cross too and it took a couple molts for her spots to show? But she lays bright white eggs, like a normal white leghorn, and my crosses lay cream colored eggs....so I can't figure it out!

 

[BY Bob]

I have a white leghorn that was completely white before her molt and after, she developed grayish black spots on her feathers! Now she looks exactly like my barred leghorn crosses. I thought she was full leghorn but maybe shes a cross too and it took a couple molts for her spots to show? But she lays bright white eggs, like a normal white leghorn, and my crosses lay cream colored eggs....so I can't figure it out!

I'd love to see a photo of a speckled leghorn!