Birchen Wyandotte

[Gercarson]

How would one go about creating a birchen color Wyandotte? Would it be a fluke? Like using a Black and a Silver Laced? Any genetic engineers out there?

 

[Blisschick]

Birchen isn't a color you can "create", but a naturally occuring color pattern based on the E (black) locus. It's the next dominant color pattern down from extended black. You could probably end up with a birchen by mating the two, but I'm not sure how many chicks you could expect to end up with that pattern, given that the black could be masking another lesser color pattern, and I don't know for sure what combination makes up the SLW color pattern.

 

[Blisschick]

I did a little research regarding the possible genetic makeup of the colors you suggested. SLW don't carry the birchen gene, and black Wyandottes with yellow feet are actually a recessive black (which is separate and kind of confusing to me), but the article didn't state what kind of dominant black genes may be present, so it's my guess that if you crossed a SLW, there is a chance you could end up with a birchen colored bird. Were you going for silver or gold birchen?

 

[blackdotte]

You can't get a Birchen out of a SLW X Black Wyandotte as the are both eb Brown based birds. The easiest way would be to mate a good type Black Wyandotte to a Silver Sussex hen. Silver Sussex are ER Birchen, then mate brother to sister,they will all be black. Select for Birchen pattern & yellow legs. You will need to hatch large numbers as this mating will give Silver Birchen, Silver Duckwing, Red Birchen, Red Duckwing, Gold Birchen, Gold Duckwing, & Black. Most will have white legs.
The famed 1890s White Laced Black Wyandotte was bred this way but also was Henny Feathered, this occurs in SLW from time to time.
David

 

[Blisschick]

Blackdotte, do you know what the phenotype for Black Wyandottes is? I was kind of surprised to find out they aren't extended black.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
The phenotype for black wyandottes is -- oddly enough -- black.

phenotype = visual appearance
genotype = genetic make-up

Sorry, I just couldn't resist!

 

[Gercarson]

Wow - Thanks so much.
I am not trying to create a birchen Wyandotte - just the color pattern - I know that I have gotten some very beautiful color patterns from the Plymouth Rocks - just gorgeous ! BUT, I am a huge fan of the Wynadottes and I have never seen the birchen "color pattern" and would like to have a couple.

 

[Blisschick]

Quote:
The phenotype for black wyandottes is -- oddly enough -- black.

phenotype = visual appearance
genotype = genetic make-up

Sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Geez, ya, okay, that was a no brainer....

Listen to what I mean, not what I say! LOL