Mia Patel
The colour of a chicken's feathers is determined by its genetics, with primary patterns involving the entire body of the chicken and secondary patterns appearing on individual feathers. When breeding chickens for a specific feather colour, it is important to understand the genetics that control these colour patterns. The E-locus gene controls the background colour of a chicken's feathers, while other genes modify this background with secondary patterns. In addition to feather colour, genetics also influence other traits such as comb type, shank/foot colour, and skin colour. To breed chickens for a specific feather colour, one must begin with the desired background colour and then select for the desired secondary patterns and other traits. This may involve crossing different breeds of chickens to achieve the desired colour and pattern combinations.
Characteristics and Values of Chicken Colour Breeding
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genetics | Understand the genetics of colour breeding, including DNA, genes, chromosomes, and gene pairs. |
| Egg Colour | Different chicken breeds lay different-coloured eggs, including white, brown, blue, green, pink, and speckled. |
| Rooster's Genetics | Ensure knowledge of the rooster's genetics when breeding for egg colour. |
| Purebreds | Purchase purebred chickens, such as Ameraucanas, to ensure specific egg colours. |
| Comb Type | Consider the genetics of comb type, which can result in single, pea, rose, or walnut combs. |
| Feather Colour | Understand primary and secondary colour patterns in feathers, such as the Silver Columbian pattern. |
| Earlobes | Hens with white earlobes typically lay white or tinted eggs, while hens with red earlobes usually lay brown eggs. |
| Diet | A healthy diet of proteins, grains, and insects can improve egg taste. |
| Chicken Breed | Choose chicken breeds known for laying specific egg colours, such as Marans for dark chocolate eggs. |
| Parent Colours | To produce green-shelled eggs, breed chickens with a blue egg shell base colour and brown layer overlay. |
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What You'll Learn
Understand chicken genetics
Breeding chickens with certain colours requires an understanding of chicken genetics.
DNA and Genes
The first step is to understand the key elements of genetics, such as DNA and genes. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the material that contains the genetic instructions for an organism's development and function. It is arranged in double helix-shaped strands. Genes are segments of DNA that carry the blueprint for a cell's function and an organism's characteristics. Chromosomes are structures that contain complete strands of DNA and transmit hereditary material from one generation to the next. Each chicken inherits 50% of its DNA from each parent, who received 50% of their DNA from their parents, and so on.
Comb Type
Comb type is controlled by two different genes on two different chromosomes. The rose comb gene is represented by the letter R, and the pea comb gene by the letter P. When both genes are absent, the result is a single comb with the gene combination rrpp. If a chicken with a pea comb (rrPP) is crossed with one with a rose comb (RRpp), their offspring will have walnut combs (RrPp).
Feather Colour
To breed a chicken with a particular colour scheme, start with the background colour, which is controlled by the E-locus gene. Other colour and pattern genes modify this background. There are primary and secondary colour patterns. Primary patterns involve the entire body of the chicken, such as the Silver Columbian pattern, which is white with black in the neck, wing, and tail areas. Secondary patterns appear on individual feathers, such as single and double lacing or mottled.
Egg Colour
Egg colour is a reflection of a chicken's genes or breed. Blue is dominant over white, so a hen with two blue egg shell genes or one white and one blue gene will lay a blue egg. Brown egg shell colour can be controlled by up to 13 genes, resulting in a wide range of shades. If a hen carries a blue egg gene and some brown pigment genes, she will lay a shade of green egg.
Selective Breeding
Selective breeding techniques can be used to make significant improvements to the genetic potential of chicken breeds. This involves creating pure lines of chickens that are used to create the next generation of pure lines, renewing and improving the line with each generation. Crossbreeding is also common in poultry production, as it creates strong and robust offspring due to heterosis or hybrid vigour.
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Know the colour of the hen's earlobes
The colour of a hen's earlobes can indicate the colour of the eggs they will lay. While this is not an absolute rule, it is a widespread belief that hens with white earlobes will lay white or lightly tinted eggs, while hens with red earlobes will lay brown eggs. The earlobes of hens that lay brown eggs may also be described as "dark", and the darker the earlobes, the more olive-coloured the eggs.
Chicken earlobes can come in a variety of colours, including dark red, pearl white, yellow, pink, peach, bluish, or purple. The earlobes of the Araucana breed can be pale green or blue, and they lay eggs of a corresponding colour.
The colour of the earlobes and eggshells are both polygenic traits, and the widespread belief about the correlation between earlobe colour and egg colour is not the result of a genetic correlation between the two traits. Instead, it is the result of defining breed characteristics more than a century ago.
It is important to note that the colour of the earlobes is not a perfect indicator of egg colour, as there are exceptions to the rule. For example, Leghorn chickens lay white eggs and have white earlobes, but Orpington chickens lay brown eggs and also have white earlobes.
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Identify the chicken's breed
Identifying chicken breeds can be challenging, but there are several methods to help you distinguish between them. Firstly, it is important to look beyond feather coloration and consider other physical attributes. For example, the Cuckoo Marans hen has pinkish-white legs, while the Barred Rock hen has yellow legs. The Red Dorking cockerel is distinguishable by its large build and low stance, and the Dominique hen has a rose comb, while the Barred Rock has a single comb.
Another way to identify chicken breeds is by their markings. These can include feather markings, feet or leg markings, or the size of the bird. For instance, the Brahma is a large breed, while the Silkie is a bantam breed. Some breeds are also 'feather-footed', meaning they have fluff on their feet as chicks, while others are 'clean-legged'. Additionally, the comb of a chicken, the usually bright red flap on its head, can be a useful identifier as each breed is consistent with its comb type. For example, the Barred Rock has a single comb, while the Brahma has a pea comb.
When identifying chicks, it can be helpful to refer to the list of breeds you ordered, as their markings and characteristics may not yet be fully developed. As they grow, you can start to notice their personalities and unique sounds, which can also aid in identification. Spending time with your chickens and observing their behaviour can help you distinguish between breeds and individuals, even if they are visually similar.
Practising breed identification by studying pictures or spending time on breed and gender forums can also improve your skills. Knowing the general appearances of many different breeds is beneficial, but it requires dedication as there are numerous breeds to remember. With experience, you will become more adept at recognising different breeds.
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Learn about primary and secondary colour patterns
When it comes to chicken colours, there are two primary pigments: black and red. Every recognised colour variety in chickens is derived from these two pigments, which can be enhanced, diluted, or masked to create the spectrum of colours observed in different breeds. For example, a blue feathering is produced when a black-feathered chicken has the blue gene, which dilutes the black colour.
The colour patterns of chickens involve observing the arrangement and distribution of colours and markings on their plumage. Common patterns include barred, laced, and mottled designs, each with distinctive shapes and colour contrasts. Barred breeds are usually sex-linked, meaning male and female chicks look distinct at hatching. Laced patterns involve two lacings of black: an outer black lacing around the edge of the feather, and an inner or second lacing. A "spangled" look involves lustrous, greenish-black spangles on silvery-white plumage, giving the chicken a polka dot appearance.
The colour of hens is typically more muted than that of cockerels, likely due to the evolutionary need for camouflage while nesting. The colour of chickens is influenced by several genes, and some traits are controlled by numerous gene pairs, making the inheritance of colour patterns complex. For example, brown shell colour in eggs is influenced by as many as 13 genes.
In addition to the colour of their feathers, chickens may also exhibit different skin colours, which are influenced by genes such as the fibromelanosis gene, Fm, and dermal melanin inhibitors like the Id gene. Chickens with the Fm gene but not the Id gene have dark skin, while the combination of both results in a chicken with no visible skin pigmentation.
Finally, it's important to note that the colour of chicken eggs is also influenced by genetics, and breeders can create a range of shades by crossing various tones. The colour of eggs is determined by the hen's genetics, not the rooster's, and the colour of a hen's earlobes can provide a clue to the colour of eggs she will lay. Hens with white earlobes typically lay white or lightly tinted eggs, while those with red earlobes usually lay brown eggs.
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Study the basics of egg colour genetics
To breed chickens for a certain egg colour, it is essential to first understand the basics of egg colour genetics. This knowledge will save you from years of expensive trial-and-error breeding work.
All chicken eggs start out as white due to the colour of the calcium-based eggshell. The base colour of eggs is always white. There are at least three variants of white eggs, with the brightest white usually found in Leghorns and other breeds with similar genetic backgrounds. A washed-out white is most commonly seen in BB Red Games.
Brown eggs are caused by porphyrin, which is deposited as a coating on top of the white or blue egg. There is a complete porphyrin biopath, meaning multiple genes are involved in the production of porphyrin. At least one, probably two or more, porphyrin genes are on the sex chromosomes (W/Z). All chickens have the porphyrin biopath.
Blue eggs are the result of a dominant trait and there are two variants of the blue egg gene on chromosome one. If one copy of the blue egg gene is present, then all eggs will be blue. Two copies may result in a slightly more intense blue colour. If there are no blue genes, the base colour white will be expressed. Breeds that commonly lay blue eggs include true Ameraucanas, Whiting True Blues, and Crested Cream Legbars.
Speckling is most strongly inherited from the father. Speckling can only be passed on if the father hatched from a heavily speckled egg himself.
When breeding chickens, it is important to remember that the rooster does not deposit pigment into the hen's body when they mate. If you want to breed for egg colour, you will need to be certain of your rooster's genetics.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken colour genetics can be quite complex, but there are some basics you should know. Firstly, understand the key terms: DNA, genes, chromosomes. Then, know that the background colour of a chicken is controlled by the E-locus gene, with other colour genes modifying this background. Brown shell colour in eggs, for example, is controlled by up to 13 genes.
To breed chickens for a specific egg colour, you must understand chicken egg colour genetics. You can then cross various tones to create a range of shades. For example, to produce a hen that lays green eggs, you need one chicken from a brown egg-laying breed and one from a blue egg-laying breed.
You can usually tell the eggshell colour by the hen's earlobes. Hens with white earlobes typically lay white or lightly tinted eggs, while hens with red earlobes commonly lay brown eggs.
"Easter Eggers" is a catch-all term for chickens that lay blue or green eggs without belonging to any specific pure breed. They are also known as "Olive Eggers".
No, the rooster does not deposit pigment into the hen's body when they mate. To see what colour eggs a hen will lay, you must hatch her eggs and raise the chicks to laying age.
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