The Moonshiner's Leghorns

[Amer]

What's this?
Alsoo
Little buff wing feather awwwww

 

[KF0002]

View attachment 4103421
What's this?
Alsoo
Little buff wing feather awwwww

I’m not sure what you would call it in actual terms but we call that color Golden Gray in Games. Its like a Golden Duckwing but on a Wheaten base. The chicks are the result of a cross of the Silver Duckwing line we have with a “Hatch” line, then this generation is the backcross back to the SDW line. The cross has thrown Golden Duckwings, but sometimes they throw the color on a Wheaten base. The hens are a Silver Wheaten color. This chick is likely a wheaten and duckwing split. There are some in there with full silver or golden duckwing looking down color, and some that look full wheaten. They all came from the same parent birds. You helped me to realize that the SDW line is actually carries wheaten (because of the black-tailed white pullet), and these chicks help to prove that.

This is an F1 rooster produced from the initial cross. His Silver Wheaten and SDW sisters were backcrossed to a Silver Duckwing rooster who is obviously split Wheaten. Genetics are wild.

So this is a perfect example of a pure duckwing base, split duckwing/split wheaten base, and pure wheaten down color in chicks. This chick is split:

This chick has a full duckwing base.

And the chick on the right has a full wheaten base. All siblings.

 

[KF0002]

I thought the Wheaten genes was coming from the “Hatch” line we crossed the SDWs to, but it is actually coming from the SDW line. Wild.

 

[KF0002]

Golden Wheaten. That’s what it’s called when gold and silver are on a Wheaten base. I’m a doofus. lol

 

[KF0002]

This all also helps to prove that my Red Leghorn was at least split wheaten and duckwing, but it is interesting that he has only produced duckwing looking chicks when bred to the Brown Leghorn hen. This group of Red x Brown chicks would have been 6+ weeks or so out from any potential Speckled Sussex “contamination” (for lack of a better word that I can think of in my sleep starved mind). And not one chick has been white legged so it is safe to say the chicks are all Leghorn. But they all have a full duckwing base. So it may be possible that my Red Leghorn rooster actually has a full duckwing base, but Co and Db alter the duckwing down pattern in the chicks?

 

[The Moonshiner]

I’m not sure what you would call it in actual terms but we call that color Golden Gray in Games. Its like a Golden Duckwing but on a Wheaten base. The chicks are the result of a cross of the Silver Duckwing line we have with a “Hatch” line, then this generation is the backcross back to the SDW line. The cross has thrown Golden Duckwings, but sometimes they throw the color on a Wheaten base. The hens are a Silver Wheaten color. This chick is likely a wheaten and duckwing split. There are some in there with full silver or golden duckwing looking down color, and some that look full wheaten. They all came from the same parent birds. You helped me to realize that the SDW line is actually carries wheaten (because of the black-tailed white pullet), and these chicks help to prove that.

This is an F1 rooster produced from the initial cross. His Silver Wheaten and SDW sisters were backcrossed to a Silver Duckwing rooster who is obviously split Wheaten. Genetics are wild.

View attachment 4103424

So this is a perfect example of a pure duckwing base, split duckwing/split wheaten base, and pure wheaten down color in chicks. This chick is split:

View attachment 4103439

This chick has a full duckwing base.

View attachment 4103436

And the chick on the right has a full wheaten base. All siblings.

View attachment 4103437

Games seem to be in a world of their own. Mixed genetics, different terms, etc.
What is a "grey" in games.... silver duckwing?

 

[KF0002]

Games seem to be in a world of their own. Mixed genetics, different terms, etc.
What is a "grey" in games.... silver duckwing?

Yes, a “Gray” is a silver duckwing. And you are correct, their genetics isn’t straightforward. A line bred for what they are know to do aren’t bred based on their color genetics necessarily, more so their athletic ability. Long ago my husband dabbled in those activities but not for a long time, and now we maintain the lines mainly because he loves the breed and it is sentimental. They are a fun breed, and they have so much personality. The hens can not be beat when it comes to raising chicks and being mothers.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Yes, a “Gray” is a silver duckwing. And you are correct, their genetics isn’t straightforward. A line bred for what they are know to do aren’t bred based on their color genetics necessarily, more so their athletic ability. Long ago my husband dabbled in those activities but not for a long time, and now we maintain the lines mainly because he loves the breed and it is sentimental. They are a fun breed, and they have so much personality. The hens can not be beat when it comes to raising chicks and being mothers.

Oh I know. I've often thought about leaving hatching behind and just get about 50 game hens to do it for me.
If it wouldn't be for the extra mouths to feed.

 

[Amer]

This all also helps to prove that my Red Leghorn was at least split wheaten and duckwing, but it is interesting that he has only produced duckwing looking chicks when bred to the Brown Leghorn hen. This group of Red x Brown chicks would have been 6+ weeks or so out from any potential Speckled Sussex “contamination” (for lack of a better word that I can think of in my sleep starved mind). And not one chick has been white legged so it is safe to say the chicks are all Leghorn. But they all have a full duckwing base. So it may be possible that my Red Leghorn rooster actually has a full duckwing base, but Co and Db alter the duckwing down pattern in the chicks?

I believe he is full duckwing
I've been discovering lately that the same phenotype can be achieved on a lot of bases. I used to think duckwing couldn't be used to achieve many patterns but I've found out that's wrong.
Here's some speckled Sussex chicks (duckwing base)

 

[The Moonshiner]

I believe he is full duckwing
I've been discovering lately that the same phenotype can be achieved on a lot of bases. I used to think duckwing couldn't be used to achieve many patterns but I've found out that's wrong.
Here's some speckled Sussex chicks (duckwing base)
View attachment 4103494

I know when I got into the MFs seemed everyone said when making them it started with wheaten but my first MF leghorns were a mix of wheaten or duckwing or both.
I know back when I had rhodebars they were duckwing but everyone was crossing them with wheaten based RIR.