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The eggs got mixed, both 'pure' Australorp and the crossbreeds.
So, I have 6 of the 15 with a light green? eye and 9 with a black (dark red when reflecting light). Of the 6 'green eyed', 3 have gold 'strips' in the hackle and saddle. I have been unable to differentiate, so far, on colour of their soles.
If the gold strips are the result of a recessive melaniser becoming het, with crossbreeding, (I'm assuming all the green-eyed's are crossbreeds) why aren't all the crossbreeds displaying the gold strips?, Mark

Are the ones with gold all cocks? And totally black hens? In crossing of E x e+ hens are usuallly totally black, at least for me. Hormones dependent.

If comb/wattles are indicative at 8 weeks old then yes it's the 3 cockerels that have them, thanks yet again Wieslaw

Only two of the cockerels had the gold leaking in the hackle / saddle not three but the 3rd bird has turned out to be a cockerel, is crowing or gargling, so how come the gold leaks for two but not the third???? and the 3 pullets are the only birds, from the mix, that had the white in the wing bay from day one'ish, mark
where would the white come from, a recessive white c from the Australorp??????? but hormone influenced????
Thanks

Pictures? White in wings in black birds is normal(with me) and has nothing to do with recessive white. Pullets can lose the white feathers after the 1st year, but it can come back after next moult. My black Leghorn hen has got white feathers in the wings again.

Forced me out of my comfort zone, have had to learn how to add an image! 'Living on the edge', here goes

You are trying to upload your picture directly from your computer, I can see your C drive in the path, it will not work that way. You have to upload your picture to an image hosting site(most of us use Photobucket.com - it is for free, you have to sign up and get an account), create an album and upload the picture/s from your computer into the album, and then copy the last address at the bottom under each picture. Got it? Or ask questions I will guide you.

Thanks Wieslaw, i'm in the process of downloading to photobucket now, but have to goto work so hopefully by the time i get back...

the two pb brown leghorn x australorp bantam cockerels with gold leaking hackle and saddle, beneath the head of the cockerel without ANY leaking



two of the three crossbred pullets with what's left of white

and my pure? Australorp bantams, no white

Thanks Wieslaw and KazJaps for help with Photobucket