PigeonGenetics.com Forum

What makes the beaks and feet black on baby pigeons?

Dirty.

I’d noticed how some youngsters have black feet yet once they become adults the feet appear red. The nails remain black. So, a great way of identifying V on your birds. That’s neat. Learnt that here Adam. These photos of young ASR and the same bird two years later. I keep pictures of my birds to go with their details on the database!

Great example! That's exactly how it works. And a great example of why it is good to keep photos and records.

Just wondering if V is or isn’t linked, can a white bird carry it? I’ve not seen white birds with black claws so maybe there’s some suppression going on. More you learn, the more you get to think about.

As far as I know a linkage hasn't ever been identified, but that doesn't mean it isn't there! I'll try to keep note of any dirty in my whites when I'm breeding this year.

Remember though, there are a heap of different ways to produce a white phenotype: https://www.pigeongenetics.com/wiki/index.php/White