What genes are responsible for variations in mottling? Are there some kinds of modifiers at work?
Example 1:
English Orp mottling - often really complete, judging by the breeder groups.
My black boy is covered in spots since he got his adult feathers.
One of his brooder mates had all the markings of a mottled chick, as he grew had some patches, but then his adult feathers were solid with only white on the wings.
Example 2:
Ameraucana mottling - It's known they lose most of their spots with their first adult feathers, then get more spots with each successive molt.
Our one mottled black Am did just that, he has just a few spots for now.
If it is a matter of modifiers (?), are they mottling reduction genes in example 2, or is it mottling enhancement genes at work in example 1?
How would one breed the Ams to get a better start on the mottling at an earlier age?
Example 1:
English Orp mottling - often really complete, judging by the breeder groups.
My black boy is covered in spots since he got his adult feathers.
One of his brooder mates had all the markings of a mottled chick, as he grew had some patches, but then his adult feathers were solid with only white on the wings.
Example 2:
Ameraucana mottling - It's known they lose most of their spots with their first adult feathers, then get more spots with each successive molt.
Our one mottled black Am did just that, he has just a few spots for now.
If it is a matter of modifiers (?), are they mottling reduction genes in example 2, or is it mottling enhancement genes at work in example 1?
How would one breed the Ams to get a better start on the mottling at an earlier age?
