Testing Breeding for Recessive White

[CastielH]

I've been able to find either posts or graphics that show how to test breed for recessives like lavender or mottled, but I haven't been able to find one about how to test breed for recessive white. I understand genetically test breeding is the same, but how would you make sure the bird you were using to test breed was recessive white and not dominant white? Are there breeds that only come in recessive white? Google has been about as much help as it ever is, which is to say none at all.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

@MysteryChicken @nicalandia

 

[MysteryChicken]

Recessive white, isn't one I've much experience with.
But chick down can give you a clue whether your bird is Recessive, or Dominant white.
Dominant White chick down usually is solid yellow, or will occasionally have a reddish orange tone, or splotches upon them.

Recessive White are solid yellowish white with silvery tone, or solid white with silvery tone. But this also depends if they're gold, or silver based recessive. Silver based dominant whites may look similar to the recessives(Solid Yellowish White).

 

[NatJ]

how would you make sure the bird you were using to test breed was recessive white and not dominant white?

You could test mate it. Cross the white chicken to a colored chicken, and see whether you get colored chicks or white ones, or ones with some white and some color.

Or if you are breeding chicks that are not white, and a white chick appears, it is likely to be recessive white. Check the colors of the parents to be sure, because various combinations of black, Dominant White, and Silver can produce white chicks even when the parents also show some color.

Are there breeds that only come in recessive white?

I think White Jersey Giants would be recessive white.
The descriptions always say they arose as white sports from black Jersey Giants (sounds like recessive white to me!), and the chicks are rather dark colored but grow up to have completely white feathers.

I've read that many white silkies have recessive white, but that some do have Dominant White.

White Leghorns are known for having Dominant White.

I don't know about other white breeds.

 

[CastielH]

You could test mate it. Cross the white chicken to a colored chicken, and see whether you get colored chicks or white ones, or ones with some white and some color.

Or if you are breeding chicks that are not white, and a white chick appears, it is likely to be recessive white. Check the colors of the parents to be sure, because various combinations of black, Dominant White, and Silver can produce white chicks even when the parents also show some color.


I think White Jersey Giants would be recessive white.
The descriptions always say they arose as white sports from black Jersey Giants (sounds like recessive white to me!), and the chicks are rather dark colored but grow up to have completely white feathers.

I've read that many white silkies have recessive white, but that some do have Dominant White.

White Leghorns are known for having Dominant White.

I don't know about other white breeds.

I considered using white Jersey Giants but the breed I’m most interested in keeping is a bantam breed so I don’t think they’d be the best choice.