Unexpected Coloring

[FortCluck]

I'm sure that there is somebody out there that has been told their chicks would be a certain color due to genetic calculators or what not... Have you ever had random coloring no one was expecting?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Happens all the time. The biggest problem for me in predicting chick color or patterns is that you are often not sure of the genetics involved. There are different ways genetically to make black, white, buff or other colors. You don't always know which methods or combinations were used just by looking.

Recessive genes can hide under dominant genes. When you breed them the recessives might pair up. This is absolutely going to happen when you cross different colors and patterns. It sometimes happens when you think you have purebred birds. Recessive genes are hard to get rid of and can show up at any time.

 

[FortCluck]

Happens all the time. The biggest problem for me in predicting chick color or patterns is that you are often not sure of the genetics involved. There are different ways genetically to make black, white, buff or other colors. You don't always know which methods or combinations were used just by looking.

Recessive genes can hide under dominant genes. When you breed them the recessives might pair up. This is absolutely going to happen when you cross different colors and patterns. It sometimes happens when you think you have purebred birds. Recessive genes are hard to get rid of and can show up at any time.

I had chicks that were supposed to be completely black... They were red sex link/ black jersey giant. The chicks feathers are black, but at the ends of all the feathers it's brown, they look awesome. I also have Delaware/Black jersey giant that came out white.

I don't get genetics at all and I try not to get into it, but it's truly amazing the patterns and colors you can get.