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Egg color in mixed breeds? How is it determined?

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post #1 of 6

3/26/12 at 10:45am

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MamaMarcy

Location: Snohomish, WA
Joined: 8/2011
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Is there any general rule as far s what color to expect eggs to be when 2 breeds are mixed?

I want to breed our Americana/easter egger hens with our frizzle rooster. Is it a coin toss, or would the hens dictate egg color for the offspring?

Thanks!

~Marcy Lauryl~
13 hens, 2 roos, 8 muscovies, 2 turkey poults, 2 Indian Runners ducklings, and incubating chicks & ducks cause I'm addicted! 2 drooling English Mastiffs, 1 naughty Welsh Corgi, 2 obnoxious cats, 3 little boys, and 1 husband. I'm a nurse & a picker...

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post #2 of 6

3/26/12 at 4:45pm

raymondjames

Joined: 9/2011
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It is most likely random. The egg color gene is probably in both hen and rooster, and the outcome would produce blue eggs or brown.
But something is telling me it would likely lay green eggs. Because the olive/greenish color is, in truth, blue with a thin layer of brown, maybe it would combine them and lay green.
However, if an ee/frizzle bred an ee, there is a 75% chance of there being blue eggs, but not including green eggs. Just hatch a lot and see what you get,

i got lots o' hens: my special mutt, Hope,Cuckoo Marans hen, Barred Rock,White Leghorn,Buff Silkie, White Bantam Frizzle Cochin

some roos too!: Cuckoo Marans, White Leghorn, Buff Silkie, and my special mutt Snippy

i got lots o' hens: my special mutt, Hope,Cuckoo Marans hen, Barred Rock,White Leghorn,Buff Silkie, White Bantam Frizzle Cochin

some roos too!: Cuckoo Marans, White Leghorn, Buff Silkie, and my special mutt Snippy

post #3 of 6

3/26/12 at 4:56pm

Blarneyeggs

Location: Southeast PA
Joined: 10/2011
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I copied this from athe Olive Egger thread, Hope it helps. :)

Raising Orpingtons, Nigerian Dwarfs and Honeybees in Southern Chester County.

Peeps on the PA Thread can be found here: http://www.communitywalk.com/pa_bycers/map/1552784

Raising Orpingtons, Nigerian Dwarfs and Honeybees in Southern Chester County.

Peeps on the PA Thread can be found here: http://www.communitywalk.com/pa_bycers/map/1552784

post #4 of 6

3/26/12 at 5:11pm

Sonoran Silkies
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Location: Tempe, Arizona
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There are MANY genes that affect egg colour. Most, but not all, are autosomal (not-sex-linked). There is a single gene for a blue eggshell, and it is autosomal.

Breeder & Exhibitor of fine silkies in Black, Blue, Splash, Grey, Partridge & Lavender. Working on Dun, Mottled, Partridge dilutions, Paint, Porcelain & other exciting new colours
adult and started pairs occasionally available; No eggs or chicks.
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