Genetics

[Tiki108]

Hey All,

I've always been interested in genetics, my boyfriend is a scientist that majored in genetics and I find it facinating. I have a basic grasp of horse genetics, but a deep understanding of reptile genetics. One thing that's always a hot button topic in the reptile community is hybrids, some like them, but of course you run into the problem of "muddying the waters" so to speak if you cross 2 different species and then sell them, you can market them right but if someone markets them as a pure bred, or breeds them and doens't tell people it can create issues with animals not being 100% that species. So some people really frown upon it. Since I'm new to the chicken community I'm curious if that is also a hot button issue. I assume since we are dealing with different breeds of chicken rather than different species it might be a bit different than with the reptile community, but I'd like to know what your thoughts on crosses are and if it's acceptable to some and not to others.

I'd really like to start breeding a couple different breeds, but if crossing breeds is more acceptable what kind of genes are considered dominant, co-dominant, recessive, etc? Also the breeds I'm currently most interested in are d'Uccles, Polishes, and Silkies. I know some of these come in different colors, does anyone know the genetics behind these colors or where I could find more information out about the subject?

Thanks in advance all!!

 

[TShelton54]

There are several good books on color genetics out there, one of which is mine. The Genetics of the Old English Game Bantam, is available at Authorhouse.com and even though it is about Old English Game Bantams the color genetics holds true across the board to other breeds. The ISBN No. is9781452075808. Also check on books by the author Brian Reeder. Tim

 

[aurissavannahs]

Tim
I tried to find your book on author.com but couldn't find it. Could you please send a link to it?
Kathleen

 

[TShelton54]

Try Authorhouse.com . Use the ISBN no. 9781452075808 T Shelton

 

[tadkerson]

When breeding chickens you want to breed toward the Standard of Perfection. You can purchase the APA Standard of Perfection. First you have a breed like wyandotte, leghorn, Polish etc. . Each breed comes in different varieties like black, single laced, birchen etc.

You want to breed the same breed and variety together. You can hybridize the birds but you will not have a breed and or variety that is recognized by the Standard. There are a few genes that in order to express a variety, the alleles must be heterozygous so that the incompletely dominant allele can be expressed. Two examples are the dun and blue genes.

If you want to have fun and do experimental crossing or produce a bird with characteristics you would want - go for it. I would suggest you learn the genetics about the breeds or breed and varieties you want to work with and do not worry about the rest. It takes years of experimental breeding and reading manuscripts to know the subject. Start simple and work toward more complex genetics.

Instead of learning the genetics on your own with books, you could just pick the brains of members on this forum and learn at the same time.

Tim Adkerson

 

[Henk69]

You could also try the chickencalculators
or websites like these:
http://sellers.kippenjungle.nl
http://chickengenetics.edelras.nl
and maybe http://kippenjungle.nl/basisEN.htm

 

[aurissavannahs]

Thank you for your suggestions. I am interested in genetics because I am breeding Norwegian Jaerhons. I am following a translation of the Norwegian SOP which has only been translated for a year now and is not very clear. So serious work with the Jaerhobs to a standard in this country is only just starting. Some day we may have an American standard. I haven't been sucessful with Norwegian sites as I don't speak Norwegian and don't know how to contact any Norwegians that may know the genetics. I am trying to find out what is the genetic make up of the Jaerhons by phenotype at this point so I can work with them. I know some test breedings may need to be done but I have no idea what they should be and I don't want to cross breed them unless it is necessary. There are sports of the Jaerhons like the flame Jaerhons which adds to my confusion. If anyone knows the genetics of Jaerhons or how I should proceed I would be glad to get advice.
Kat

 

[Tiki108]

Thanks for all the information everyone! I think I'd like to breed as close to the standard as possible and I've considered showing chickens, but I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to do that seriously or not. And thanks for the calculators, those are always fun to play with.

 

[tadkerson]

I think you will find the Jaerhons to be a mixed bag of genes. I think you will have to breed and select for a standard you and others decide on. Once you consistently produce birds of the same phenotype then set a standard. You can write a standard that is for the APA it does not have to be the Norwegian standard.


Tim

 

[TShelton54]

The Jaerhon is a complicated bird as far as genetics go. They carry both regular barring and autosomal barring (Pattern gene + Dark brown Pg+Db) Without the barring gene they would be like Pencilled Hamburgs. The addition of brring lightens the body color AND makes them sex-link as a breed. Tim Shelton