Creating Experimental Black Crele Chickens (Different Genetics, new variety)

[MysteryChicken]

What?
A gene is DNA. Literally mutations are genes. All chickens have DNA and genes. Every living thing has genes.
Genes are controlled by DNA. DNA resides on chromosomes. Genes can switch on or off based on proteins.

Recessive genes don't have to show in the parents. Dominant genes do. Are you familiar with polygenic inheritance? In this case, it is unknown if the leg feathering is simply a recessive gene or a polygenic trait.

I thought a gene was a protein link within a DNA strand. I do know a little bit about genetics inheritance, but not about that type.

 

[Cyprus]

I thought a gene was a protein link within a DNA strand. I do know a little bit about genetics inheritance, but not about that type.

You're right. But a trait has to be a gene. It can't just be loose DNA

 

[MysteryChicken]

You're right. But a trait has to be a gene. It can't just be loose DNA

Okay. Sometimes there is a such a thing called a "Sneaky Gene".

 

[MysteryChicken]

Early Update: 4 weeks 4 days old.

Buff Orpington/Barred Rock × Buff Orpington/Australorp.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Early Update: 4 weeks 4 days old.

Double Buff Orpington/Rock cross. Has a barred body, and pencilled breast feathers.

 

[ColtHandorf]

In regard to the feathering on the leg, they are usually referred to as feather stubs on the leg and occur on clean-legged breeds occasionally. I've seen them on Sussex and Welsummers before in person. When showing birds, it is a disqualification and shouldn't be selected for when breeding them. In this case adding her back into your project will introduce a higher propensity for feather stubs, especially if you are going to be using sibling crossings or crossing back to the parents to fix patterns within the genes.

 

[MysteryChicken]

In regard to the feathering on the leg, they are usually referred to as feather stubs on the leg and occur on clean-legged breeds occasionally. I've seen them on Sussex and Welsummers before in person. When showing birds, it is a disqualification and shouldn't be selected for when breeding them. In this case adding her back into your project will introduce a higher propensity for feather stubs, especially if you are going to be using sibling crossings or crossing back to the parents to fix patterns within the genes.

It turned out to be a roo, would it result in the same way when breeding to a hen?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Yep. They are both able to pass on the genes that allow for feather stubs. If you aren't sure which parent they came from as you don't see any on them, a nice soak in warm water and scrubbing their legs and feet to loose old scales (molted yearly just like feathers) will often reveal feather stubs. It happens with show birds often. The breeders don't see them but once they've loosened up and groomed the legs and feet a judge comes a long a few days later and DQ's the bird for feather stubs.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yep. They are both able to pass on the genes that allow for feather stubs. If you aren't sure which parent they came from as you don't see any on them, a nice soak in warm water and scrubbing their legs and feet to loose old scales (molted yearly just like feathers) will often reveal feather stubs. It happens with show birds often. The breeders don't see them but once they've loosened up and groomed the legs and feet a judge comes a long a few days later and DQ's the bird for feather stubs.

Okay.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Okay. Sometimes there is a such a thing called a "Sneaky Gene".

That's what you call a recessive gene.