Black Comb and Face Marans

[sybonbon]

It is more like the extension of melanin from the feathers to the face, so it is caused by a combination of genes. It is often found in birchen based varieties sometimes, like Sebrights or birchen and brown-red Old English or Modern Games. However, the same effect can be achieved with extended black.

What is Birchen? A feather pattern?

 

[Amer]

What is Birchen? A feather pattern?

Okay, so there are many loci on the chicken genome. On a single loci, there may be one gene or multiple. The E locus is where the pattern "bases" are found. The bases are duckwing (wild type) extended black, birchen, wheaten, and partridge. I got these pictures and info from: http://www.edelras.nl/chickengenetics/mutations1.html

"

* Wild type e+ adult plumage and chick down

* Wheaten eWh adult plumage and chick down

* Brown eb adult plumage and chick down

* Birchen ER adult plumage and chick down"

​

 

[sybonbon]

Okay, so there are many loci on the chicken genome. On a single loci, there may be one gene or multiple. The E locus is where the pattern "bases" are found. The bases are duckwing (wild type) extended black, birchen, wheaten, and partridge. I got these pictures and info from: http://www.edelras.nl/chickengenetics/mutations1.html

"

* Wild type e+ adult plumage and chick down

* Wheaten eWh adult plumage and chick down

* Brown eb adult plumage and chick down

* Birchen ER adult plumage and chick down"

​

You gave me great info but it's all over my head. Lol. What breed is Birchen so I can see different photos.

 

[Amer]

You gave me great info but it's all over my head. Lol. What breed is Birchen so I can see different photos.

Black copper Marans.

 

[sybonbon]

Black copper Marans.

Ok I see. It's not individual feather pattern like lacing. Its solid body with different head and neck color.

 

[Amer]

Ok I see. It's not individual feather pattern like lacing. Its solid body with different head and neck color.

Yes, but it is a base, which means other genes not related modify it. For example, Spangled as in Hamburgs, laced as in Sebrights, pencilled as in Hamburgs are all birchen based. Some black birds like Wyandottes are birchen based.

 

[sybonbon]

Yes, but it is a base, which means other genes not related modify it. For example, Spangled as in Hamburgs, laced as in Sebrights, pencilled as in Hamburgs are all birchen based. Some black birds like Wyandottes are birchen based.

My SLW?

 

[Amer]

My SLW?

No. Silver laced Wyandottes are partridge based. The best example of a partridge base with no modifiers would be the brown Leghorns pictured above. It is more often seen with the pattern gene making what people call "partridge" and is the base for silver pencilled, multiple laced, dark (as in Brahmas), and what most Columbian birds are.

 

[sybonbon]

No. Silver laced Wyandottes are partridge based. The best example of a partridge base with no modifiers would be the brown Leghorns pictured above. It is more often seen with the pattern gene making what people call "partridge" and is the base for silver pencilled, multiple laced, dark (as in Brahmas), and what most Columbian birds are.

Are my Easter Eggers partridge?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

It is more like the extension of melanin from the feathers to the face, so it is caused by a combination of genes. It is often found in birchen based varieties sometimes, like Sebrights or birchen and brown-red Old English or Modern Games. However, the same effect can be achieved with extended black.

Thank you for the explanation. After looking at the different color varieties of Dutch Bantams, I'm just not sure about Beatrice's color. Her blue body plumage seems a little too dark blue for a Blue Cream Light Brown. The breeder I purchased the eggs from kept all of her Dutch Bantams together so I should keep that in mind too. As for my Serama, Marionette, she is a darker blue, so if I'm understanding correctly, that could explain her gypsy face. Thank you again for taking the time to break this down. @RoostersAreAwesome has also spent a lot of time talking genetics with me and I really appreciate both of you so much