What does fee mean?

[OzarkCountryGirl]

I keep seeing the word "fee" with regards to Coturnix quail colouring. Can someone please give me the scoop on what exactly it means, where it originated, what difference it makes in colours (ie a Pearl vs a Pearl-fee), etc.,?

I've tried searching this forum as well as google for the info before asking and have come up empty handed.

 

[Pyxis]

Fee is the name of the gene that removes red pigment from the feathers. Some colors with the Fee gene stick 'Fee' on the end of the color name. So, Pearl Fee (which is also pearl, people sometimes just drop the Fee) is a color that involved Fee. Actually, it's Italian/Manchurian plus Fee.

 

[Nabiki]

Fee is the German word for fairy. Grau fee means grey fairy, falb fee means fall fairy, etc.

 

[Quaicken108]

Agreeing with everyone. Hey maybe we can learn more quail German from fenrisulfr.

 

[OzarkCountryGirl]

Fee is the name of the gene that removes red pigment from the feathers. Some colors with the Fee gene stick 'Fee' on the end of the color name. So, Pearl Fee (which is also pearl, people sometimes just drop the Fee) is a color that involved Fee. Actually, it's Italian/Manchurian plus Fee.

Thanks! ❤ Do the letters Fee mean any particular thing? Like the origional breeder's name/initials or an acronym?