Mixed genetics and their (dis)advantages

[LilJoe]

Part of the difficulty in predicting egg color genetics (or any other genetics for that matter) for most people is in the often murky pedigree of their stock. Just because a hen looks like or is sold as a certain breed and lays the appropriate color of egg for that breed doesn't mean the hen is purebred, nor that she is "pure" for that egg color. It just means that color egg is expressed by that hen's genetic makeup. The charts only really work when you can be reasonably certain of the individual genetic makeup of each individual bird. I dare say, with Easter Eggers this is currently impossible. With other breeds it can be much easier, or not. How well do you know your original stock's genetics?

Are you meaning the Legbars and brahma?

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Part of the difficulty in predicting egg color genetics (or any other genetics for that matter) for most people is in the often murky pedigree of their stock. Just because a hen looks like or is sold as a certain breed and lays the appropriate color of egg for that breed doesn't mean the hen is purebred, nor that she is "pure" for that egg color. It just means that color egg is expressed by that hen's genetic makeup. The charts only really work when you can be reasonably certain of the individual genetic makeup of each individual bird. I dare say, with Easter Eggers this is currently impossible. With other breeds it can be much easier, or not. How well do you know your original stock's genetics?

This is true.

I don't mind murky genetics. Sometimes the best surprises show up that way.

But for breeding true SOP stock...true parentage is key.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Part of the difficulty in predicting egg color genetics (or any other genetics for that matter) for most people is in the often murky pedigree of their stock. Just because a hen looks like or is sold as a certain breed and lays the appropriate color of egg for that breed doesn't mean the hen is purebred, nor that she is "pure" for that egg color. It just means that color egg is expressed by that hen's genetic makeup. The charts only really work when you can be reasonably certain of the individual genetic makeup of each individual bird. I dare say, with Easter Eggers this is currently impossible. With other breeds it can be much easier, or not. How well do you know your original stock's genetics?

Indeed. And this is the complaint against Easter Eggers labeled as "Ameraucana," or "Americana" (a non-existent but confusing term).

It is why breeders fight so hard to keep terminology clean and lines pure.

With an EE you don't know what's "under the hood."

So purchase stock from reputable breeders. Otherwise, you've got a lot of test breeding to do to prove your original stock.

LofMc

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I meant for chickens in general not pedigreed for generations. In other words, most chickens most people own.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

This is true.

I don't mind murky genetics. Sometimes the best surprises show up that way.

But for breeding true SOP stock...true parentage is key.

Yes...life is like a box of chocolates...and so is chicken breeding backyard style.

I do find it fun to test out the genetics. I also have been careful to have some key players of which I'm sure of the parentage....makes the math easier.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I meant for chickens in general not pedigreed for generations. In other words, most chickens most people own.

Very true...as hobbyists, that is all part of the fun.

If however, I were doing this as a business, then I would obviously have to purchase top quality birds and follow my lines religiously in order to consistently produce the birds I want.

But for me....this is fun.
LofMc

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Just another aspect of "chicken math". And in case you thought I was sounding like a pedigree snob, I love mutts and spotty things. I say give me colorful piebalds all over the world and it'll be a better world.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Are you meaning the Legbars and brahma?

You should be safe with your Cream Legbar and Brahma if you purchased them from quality breeders.

Cream Legbars are suffering from a lot of backyard breeding, which can dilute the blue genes.

Brahma should be pretty stable even if hatchery stock.

LofMc

 

[LilJoe]

You should be safe with your Cream Legbar and Brahma if you purchased them from quality breeders.

Cream Legbars are suffering from a lot of backyard breeding, which can dilute the blue genes.

Brahma should be pretty stable even if hatchery stock.

LofMc

Both from the same breeder...dont think from quality stock though.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Indeed. And this is the complaint against Easter Eggers labeled as "Ameraucana," or "Americana" (a non-existent but confusing term).

It is why breeders fight so hard to keep terminology clean and lines pure.

With an EE you don't know what's "under the hood."

So purchase stock from reputable breeders. Otherwise, you've got a lot of test breeding to do to prove your original stock.

LofMc

And it's unfortunate. I understand why breeders of purebred would be upset. I'm not certain why EE carries such a derogatory connotation and why people feel the need to try to pass them off as purebreds and not EE. Many people do not care...if all they are looking for is a colorful egg basket and egg laying hens. Most just want eggs.