Author Topic: Genetic background for the Varieties  (Read 3144 times)

Don

  • ABC Members
  • Ameraucana Guru II
  • *
  • Posts: 1189
    • View Profile
Genetic background for the Varieties
« on: August 27, 2017, 02:36:09 PM »
The question is often asked what the genetic make-up or background comprises the different colors of the breed?  There is not a simple answer to these questions.  There is a lot of information in the older handbooks and archival ABC newsletters.  Unfortunately some of the newsletters have been lost.  There were many folks that were involved in the beginning with the different colors of Bantams and then later the Large Fowl versions of these colors.  And in reading these histories, I was surprised at the number of times and different ways colors were started over from scratch by different breeders.  Some because of losses in one form or another, and some because people like to reinvent the wheel.  That being said, there are probably a good number of lines of the same color that have different genetic backgrounds.  That is one of the reasons that problems can arise when crossing different lines, even in the solid color birds.  There are a lot of different genetics that are not visible which can surface with these crosses.  And many new breeders will assume that their youngsters are not pure AMs when leakage or some other problem does crop up.  Its best to stay in one line as much as possible.  And if you do have to cross lines, just be prepared and keep the best records possible so you can address the issue without throwing the whole flock into the EE pen.         
« Last Edit: August 27, 2017, 09:53:50 PM by Don »
Don Cash
Matthew 4:9