Spit White Marans

[fluffybumfarm]

Hi, I recently purchased some birds from a breeder that was selling up and I inherited two birds that he called split white. I have searched everywhere and I cannot seem to find any information on "split whites". Can anyone throw any light on this for me, please? What would be the possible genetics and what they could be used for?

He did have a white project just started. I also have a dominant and
recessive white.

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[The Moonshiner]

With recessive genes like recessive white it takes two copies to produce a white bird.
If a bird has one copy it is carried sight unseen and the bird won't show any sign of the gene.
In cases like that the bird is called "split".

 

[fluffybumfarm]

Thanks The Moonshiner

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,This looks like a Golden Duckwing. Whether it is either one of the Duckwings discussed here, it is a "split" because t carries both a Silver and a Gold gene. Thus it will not breed true for its color.
Or it could be a Red Shouldered Silver Duckwing. That is a Silver Duckwing which has autosomal red in its makeup. The autosomal red makes the brown shoulder patch darker brownish red than on a regular Silver Duckwing. It can also give a creamish hue to the white hackle which would be snow-white in a regular Silver Duckwing..
It is a "split" because it will not breed true. Pretty bird.
Here ya go:
Golden Duckwing Silver Duckwing Color Cross Project!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-silver-duckwing-color-cross-project.1094531/
I spent years trying to breed Golden Salmon Marans ( Black Breasted Red) only to have splits ruin the project. I finally gave up and went to Sussex fowl.
Best,
Karen