down_colour

DOWN COLOUR OF NEWLY HATCHED BELGIAN CHICKENS

By Paul Williams

(an extract from the "Handbook of the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia")

There can be a good deal of variation in some colours and lines can vary, so don't be too rigid.

The feature of the Millefleur pattern is the three dorsal stripes running along the back. Millefleur vary a good deal at birth from light buff, to reddish brown, to dark grey/brown, to almost black. The colour eventually evens out, but early colour is an indication of the depth of colour in the adult bird. The dorsal stripes are black and patches of light grey can appear on parts of the body. Too much of this will usually result in birds with an excess of black feathers. Remember Millefleur do not show white spots until well feathered, and some not at all until nearing adulthood. Only after the first moult can the colour be fully assessed.

These three are all Millefleur chickens (note the difference in colours)

Silver Millefleur are yellow with black dorsal stripes. Again, a little greying can be present.

Porcelaine are creamy yellow with lavender dorsal stripes.

Blue Millefleur are similar to Millefleur, but the dorsal stripes are usually more greyish.

Quail are darkish grey with a light buff bib and buff on the face. It can be just around the beak or extend over the whole face. If it extends further than this the bird may be a bit too light as an adult.

Left to right: Silver Millefleur, Millefleur, Lavender Mottled & Black Mottled

Blue Quail are the same, but up to several shades lighter, as blue can vary in depth.

Silver Quail are dark grey or blackish with a white bib and face.

Lavender Quail are light lavender with a cream beard and face.

Splashed Quail are yellowish white with a buff bib and can easily be mistaken for white at birth.

Black are black as chicks.

Blue are varying shades of grey.

Lavender are a very soft lavender.

Mottleds are the usual base (black, lavender or blue), usually with a white underside and tips in wings.

White are yellow. Pure white chicks are often not a good white on maturing.

Cuckoo are black with a light spot on the back of the head. Pure black Cuckoo bred chicks usually tend to remain black.

Fawn Ermine are usually a buff/grey mixture.

Colour can vary and it is best not to be too hasty until you see further development. Culling is a continuous process and chicks must be assessed at regular intervals.

Porcelaine d'Uccle hen with a real mixture of
chickens - both d'Uccle and d'Anvers

Original Web design, graphic art and manufacture by
   Stephen Miller.

Said the first little chick, with a wiggle and a squirm,

I wish I had a nice fat worm.

Said the second little chick, with a giggle and a squeal.

I wish I had some fine yellow meal.

Said the old mother hen, from the green cabbage patch,

If you really want it, then get out and scratch!

They are very small when born, and as such should be brooded with similar sized chicks, or by themselves where possible. This will enable them to compete on an even basis.

Please direct enquiries to the Secretary: (Mrs) Irene Hannan
"Mountain View", 930 Caparra Road,
Caparra, via Wingham, NSW 2429
Telephone: (02) 65507295
Email: channan@tpgi.com.au

The contents of these pages will always remain the property of the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia. The material may be used for the purposes of private study, research, or to further pass on this information as
permitted under copyright legislation, but only if the source is fully credited at all times. No part may be reproduced or re-used for any commercial purpose without the written permission of the Belgian Bantam Club of Australia. Further no modification to any of the information may be made without prior written consent.

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