Orpington split

[SKMcArthur]

Question : 2 black Orpington males. One is carrying the Chocolate Orpington gene. Is there a way to determine which male is the split cockerel?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Not without breeding them.

 

[SKMcArthur]

Thank you for your answer. Could this gene skip a generation or two and show up later?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Its sex linked so males need two copies one from each parent to show. Females only have one slot for it so if they have it it shows if they don't have it then it won't show of course but also means they can't hide it.
So females can't carry it sight unseen so no worries about it popping up later.
Males on the other hand can carry one copy sight unseen from generation to generation for forever but it won't ever pop up in a male chick until a male chick gets a copy from mothers side as well.
Chocolate pullets can pop up from males that carry one gene.
Your male will pass it to about t0% of his offspring. His male offspring that get it won't show it but will pass it to about 50% of their offspring. Those offspring will do the same.
Then off course it only affects black color so if breed to anything with black it can go sight unseen through them for generations also.
Breed both males separately to any black hens. The male that carries it will produce chocolate pullet chicks if you hatch enough. The one that doesn't carry it will never produce any chocolates.
A dozen or so chicks hatched from each will quickly tell you which is which.

 

[SKMcArthur]

Thanks so much!

 

[SKMcArthur]

So if I put a black rooster with chocolate hens all the offspring will be black? The males will be 50-50 will the pullets of that mating have the chocolate gene?

 

[The Moonshiner]

All chicks will be black.
Males will be black but carry one gene for chocolate.
Females will be black no chocolate. Females can only get the chocolate gene from their fathers.

 

[SKMcArthur]

Thank you for your information . It has been helpful!