Calling all genetic guru's!!! Harlequin Orpington!!!

[CreoleChick29]

#Harlequin Orpington

Nice. Are there any blue markings?

 

[SunnySky]

Here are TRUE Harlequin Orpingtons. Myself and one other breeder are the only people in the world to own TRUE large-fowl Harlequin Orpingtons. There is one other breeder who has bantam-sized true Harlequins. Our Harlequins will breed true, always. Others who claim to have Harlequins are incomplete meaning they are missing a piece (or a few pieces) of the genetic puzzle to make them true Harlequins that will breed true which is why they look like Mottled Orpingtons.

Harlequin Cockerel:


Harlequin Cockerel:


Harlequin Cockerel:


Harlequin Pullet:


Harlequin Pullet:

 

[jzfloorman]

I'm sorry but I have those birds also, what makes that a harlequin? Why isn't it just blue mottled?

 

[jzfloorman]

My understanding was a harlequin possessed the colors blue black and white.

 

[SunnySky]

I'm sorry but I have those birds also, what makes that a harlequin? Why isn't it just blue mottled?

Blue mottled is just blue and white. True Harlequins are blue black and white. Mine have all 3 colors but it's hard to get a picture in my crappy light inside. It was too stormy to take them out.

 

[SunnySky]

My understanding was a harlequin possessed the colors blue black and white.

From what I understand from Greg yours are missing the final piece of the puzzle to make them harlequin. They won't look like harlequin and won't breed true. He told me the story behind yours. I hope you can get them finished so we can have 3 lines in the US.

 

[jzfloorman]

Not sure what Greg told you, the story of how Lauren sent me the wrong chicks while he was "away". Sure, I will agree with that. I've seen the other pics of your cockerel when it was on auction, looks like it's lacking black and I'm not the only person who noticed that. Maybe Greg had bad lighting too. Also he personally told me the chicks that he sent me a year ago weren't finished, but chicks I produced from them would be the finished product. You, Greg and I all have birds from the same line for now. Greg has the same exact birds in his grow out pens as I have and I also have birds just like
Yours and others that I personally like better.
You can't tell that your bird pictured doesn't appeared somewhat mottled as well. Anyways I will be working and improving this line soon. I have finished birds that will be breeding in 6-8 weeks and I have lots puzzle pieces so will be able to fit them together nicely in one if not several pens. I Look forward to seeing some pics of yours as they are growing. I will continue posting pics of some of mine and pics to come soon from TRUE Breedings as well as harlequins with so called missing pieces for some genetic diversity. So if you or anyone else would like some different blood in the future stay in touch. Good luck

 

[TBJumper0514]

If anyone wants to discuss with me how this color works, I would greatly appreciate it! I want to recreate it with my Bantam Orpingtons. Feel free to PM, message me through my Facebook page Brandi's Fancy Feathers, or email me at [email protected]. Thanks!

 

[VossFarm]

I don't believe splash is involved in producing harlequin but I'm no genetic expert.

They were responding to

It looks like a splash to me. I've never heard the term harlequin with chickens. Splash is a result of breeding dilute black birds and there are already black/blue/splash Orps.

that comment

 

[rockinpaints]

I know this thread is from last year but thought I would add to it. I have seen a few people using the term "harlequin" and I am not sure genetically what it is supposed to be since chickens can not possess the blue, black and white gene on the same bird needed to be a true harlequin color. As far as the spots, they would be either the mottling gene or spangled. The ones that look blue, black and white are dark blue, light blue, and white as in splash. I have seen some pretty wild splash colored orps. What I have seen so far (facebook, RBA and BYC) look like blue and black mottled. They would breed true except the blue to blue would produce blue, black and splash mottled.

I would be interested in knowing what the term "harlequin" is representing in the color of the chicken. If you had to explain the color, for say, acceptance into APA, how would you explain it? Just curious.

As far as the "harlequin" with the red gene, that is possible as a bird can possess the red gene, gray (blue) and white on the same bird or red, black and white gene, probably from the mille fleur, or jubilee gene.