Split fronts in breeding stock

[mkathleen]

I sincerely apologise if this is in the wrong place.
I am wondering as to people's experience with split fronts (a vertical crease in the breast feathers). Google brings up limited info, so I was wondering if anyone knew the genetic component of it (if there is one)? Sounds like it might be a recessive gene. My query is mostly; would it be acceptable to use a split fronted female and select against it in her offspring or would I be running myself into trouble? Anyone done this?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It is unclear if it's a recessive gene or a combination of many that causes it. Either way it's not ideal to use in breeding stock but most of the time we have to make the "best" choice of breeders from stock we have. No bird is perfect.

I lean toward multiple factors as the cause just like autosomal red which is what I'm dealing with in my stock. My thinking there is that if it were merely recessive then breeders would have all but eliminated the defect by now yet both these defect are prevalent in many lines.

What I've been told is if you have to/choose to use a bird make sure it isn't mated with a bird expressing same defect and don't use the bird in more than one mating. Don't breed offspring back to that defected bird in future generations. Put a lot of chicks on the ground and cull with a passion. I've a cockerel right now that excels his brood mates in every regard yet is one of half with red in shoulders. Yep, going to use him and put down a lot of birds but also will keep a second breeder for later spring hatches and tag all chicks to know who is who as they grow out. After spring that cock with autosomal red will immediately be turned to stew.

 

[Fentress]

I have some nice looking chicks with the vertical crease in the breast, as you describe. I thought or maybe was hoping, that it would go away as they get older. Is that not the case?

 

[mkathleen]

Thank you for the replies, that makes me feel a little better. I'll be ruthless in the culling of the offspring, as I really would like to use this bird.

Fentress in my searching I found several accounts of people's chicks growing out of it, so they may be fine.