Lavender-Based Leghorn Breeding & Improvement Discussion

[ChicKat]

That is good info. If I recall the quote said it was theoretical that the slow-feathering gene had any effect on the comb. It would be nice if the 'breeder' had some control over that aspect of the chicken. LOL

ETA - oh yep -- here's a photo from Moonshiner:

So this particular chicken is lavender cuckoo -- and seems to have pretty tight barring or striping to my eye...and thus may be slow feathering. Just guessing here. It's a Moonshiner chicken.

 

[The Moonshiner]

All my birds (except for some layers that I don't breed) are fast feathering. I have no slow feathering genes in my breeders.

 

[ChicKat]

Thanks M. That could show that close together barring can come from slow feathering. There are other influencing genes than just the 'K'.
Guess I should mosey over to a Barred-rock thread or Dominick or and dig up some stuff.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I just realized that I'll be able to make poufy-headed "porcelain" laying mutts with isabel leghorns and mottled Houdans and my former determination to stick to one breed evaporated.

 

[ChicKat]

"my former determination to stick to one breed evaporated. "


chicken math strikes again!

I'm planning on enlarging my pens. 'Tis the season to get ready for spring, right?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Slightly off topic, but since you guys are very chicken genetics savvy I thought I’d ask. Is there a dominant earlobe color? Obviously with Isabella Leghorns getting their color from Isabella Orpingtons who have red earlobes. So if say the red earlobes where recessive to the white earlobes isn’t it possible that red earlobes could pop up? Also where do blue earlobes fall in?

 

[ChicKat]

Here's a good one:
Earlobe color is a polygenic trait and is therefore caused by more than one gene.

That's from chicken wiki fandom
https://chickens.fandom.com/wiki/Earlobes

Here's a scholarly article -- that your question caused the search of, but I have yet to read.
https://www.genetics.org/content/genetics/13/6/470.full.pdf
sometimes slogging through these articles does unearth gems of great use.

I'll see if I can find references in my genetic book(s) later today and be back to hear y'all's comments about earlobes.

From my brain storage files --
1. Wild type (jungle fowl)-- have red earlobes, right? So red would be the default...
2. Leghorns to be 'to standard' would all be required to have white earlobes.

I'm wondering if the Moonshiner has variations in his flock(s), since he has so many different colors.
This is going to be interesting.

Back in the cream Legbar days, white was required. One thing that happened in older males is that with age, the white faded and red appeared in patchy spots in the earlobes. It wasn't considered a disqualifier. Not sure if all white-lobed breeds have that clause in their judging.
ETA
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ear-lobe-color-help.889425/

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Genetics of the Fowl has a few paragraphs on white earlobes, but nothing more. I’ll read that article you linked when I have a chance.

 

[Tbird84]

nothing to add but definitely watching for the tidbits the experts drop.

 

[Tbird84]

So, what about the legs? I believe I read that white is dominant and yellow is recessive. Is that correct?