Orange Mottled Chicken!

[Goose and Fig]

I have a sussex hen with way too much white. I don't think eggs would make it all the way to you though

I can see what you're going for. The genetics are the hard part- but it looks like you have most of the "ingredients" for your "recipe", if you know what I mean

Really like what you have done so far.

 

[alohachickens]

Hey Tim, (and everyone)

I was hoping to go for a multi-colored bird practical using bird that would come in several mottled colors. Ideally so people could have varities of several colors within the same flock?

Remember, I'm coming from a background in horse genetics, which I'm learning is pretty different from birds!

But, using the horse example, which I do know well, you could have a non-dominant black, recessive red, single cream, single dun gene horse, who carries the homozygous Tobiano spotting gene.

This "imaginary" stallion (although there are ones very similar in real life) could be crossed with 100 plain red and bay (brown/back) mares - and in one year, all the mares would foal out a multitude of colors, including red and white spotted, gold and white spotted, grayish (dun) and white spotted, "peach" and white spotted, gold/black/white spotted, black and white spotted, red/black/white spotted, etc.

You would get 100% spots on the babies, and a variety of body colors under those spots. And the distribution of colors would be pretty even. In other words, if the stallion carried recessive red, it wouldn't matter that he himself was a black-based horse, only 50% of his offspring would be black when crossed to red mares. (And the simple dominant modifiers would turn half of those red babies gold, similar shade to Buff in chickens, and half of the black babies to "grulla" which is similar to the color Blue in chickens.)

So in horses, you don't have to focus on one particular color at a time, as the spotting gene is universal - and simple dominant "modifiers" adjust the two basic body colors of red or black to make a rainbow of horse colors.

Now I'm trying to learn how it works with chickens, and what rules are the same, which are different, and what the modifier genes are so I can get where I want? It's frustrating to know so much about how it works in one species, and have to relearn the rules again on another!

For example, I'm learning that it seems the spotting (mottled) gene seems to be recessive in chickens, and there doesn't seem to be a "dominant" gene for spots?

And it looks like black is even more dominant over red in birds?

In horses, a single dominant gene lightens red to gold. This "cream" gene makes colors like Palomino or Buckskin. Does not affect black at all. I thought perhpas the buff color (like on Orps) was along similar lines, but it doesn't appear to work that way?

And from what I've heard, (which could be totally wrong, mind you) the "mottling" gene and the "mille" gene are pretty much the same gene? But the presence of brown or buff "breaks up" the black, and results in the white/red/black or white/gold/black tri-color appearance on the Mille pattern, or just black/white or blue/white on the Mottled? That the pattern only ends up looking different depending on the base body color?

No colors in horses are sex-linked. Gender does not affect colors at all.

Trying to learn as I go, and adjust my thinking accordingly. Is there a really good book about the subject that may help?

Thanks!!

 

[tadkerson]

I think you are going to have to forget the mammal genetics and focus on the chicken genetics.

Chickens have the extension locus like mammals but do not have the agouti locus found in mammals. That is about the best I can do with the differences without writing a book.

The mille fluer pattern is caused by an extension locus gene, the columbian gene and the mottling gene. All of the genes must be homozygous to get the proper color patten.

In chickens, the coloring of the males will sometimes be different than the females.


At this time I would suggest you take the 3/4 Exchequer, 1/4 Speckled Sussex roo and cross him with the speckled sussex.

You need to remember that mottled birds will get whiter as they get older. Each time they molt they will grow in more white feathers.

Take a look at the spangled russian orloffs. I think this bird is what you want.

Google spangled russian orloff and go to images. The color on these birds can vary quit a bit. Buy a few and start working with them. The genotypes in these birds vary quit a bit- so you get variation in the offspring.

Tim

 

[alohachickens]

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate all the help and advice!!

Will continue looking at those and the other breeds mentioned, and of course reading other posts with info about chicken gentics on here to try and learn more!

 

[houndit]

Neat project! Keep up the good work!

 

[country freedom]

Yeah!! More PRETTY chickens!!!

 

[Brindlebtch]

Totally cool!

 

[LarryPQ]

Ok- I updated my page. I am looking for anyone with LF mottled cochins to get some "size" and "fluff" into my starter batch of Alohas.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=36979-aloha-chickens-project

Sommer also updated her page this week.

 

[Mahonri]

I asked Larisaa what would happen if we put her roo over a Golden Cuckoo Marans pullet of mine (She'll be 1 year old on Feb. 21st.. She is huge and lays JUMBO eggs and she is colorful.

Thoughts?

 

[LarryPQ]

If it is Patch, wouldn't the chicks get crazy crele barring/coloring? Or do you think the female's black/white would be dominant?

To the chicken calculator!