surf_space Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 I am going to hatch chicks from black japanese bantams and black pekins bantams, could anyone tell me what colour the chicks will be (until their feathers fully develop as i heard chicks are often different colours) and how I can distinguish between the two breeds? As they will be all together when hatching. Thanks, any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 They will probably be all black chicks possibly with a bit of yellow on them so not much difference there the major difference is that the Pekins will have feathery legs and the Japs wont Do be aware that Japanese carry a lethal gene which means that 25% of the chicks will die in the egg if both parents were short legged, a good breeder will avoid this by using one short legged bird and one long legged bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 Thanks for your help I will look for the differences. I am also aware of the lethal gene but thank you as I didn't know you could help prevent it by using a long and short legged parent. The chicks started to pip yesterday, last ones just hatched so i've been lucky with a 100% hatch rate. I've noticed however, one of the chicks is nearly fully yellow will this change when it gets its adult feathers? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Hmmm Im not sure a yellow chick would mature to be black. I dont know enough about genetics to be sure but have a feeling you can get white birds from other colours. Its more likely that an egg was misidentified though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf_space Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 I will have to wait and see then, thank you for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
