zebra finch genetic forecaster question?

[rey2pokey]

what does DF,SF and Split mean?

thanks,Rey

[Diane]

Trying to grapple with this subject my self!

SF is single factor
DF is double factor

Split means carrying a gene which can produce a certain colour provided the other parent bird also carries this same gene.
For example:
a pair of normal looking green backed gouldians could produce a blue backed baby if both parents carry one copy of the blue gene each.
Each parent is split for the blue gene but cant show it because they only have one copy of the blue gene.
The blue baby shows the blue colour because it has both copies of the gene.
Any green backed babies could carry one copy of the blue gene. (split for blue)

I think thats how it works

Now I start to flounder a bit cos going further into genetics we get into sex linked and recessive genes.


finchbreeder said her mum is a wiz at genetics so she will probably be able to help explain in a easy way to understand.

[Mickp]

the best person on the forum to ask about Zebra finch genetics would be Garry "nswchainsaw"

[finchbreeder]

That was a very accurate description/explaination, Diane
And despite years of Mum explaining it I still get bamboozled every now and then.
Dominant and Double factor are in effect the same thing, but from then on it gets more complicated.
Recessive needs for both parents to be carrying it and, you get birds who get a recessive from each parent and show the charicteristic (like a pair of split recessive pieds) who produce a pied.
But of those babies that don't show the charicteristic you won't know till you breed them if the others are split or normal. Split = got the recessive gene. Normal = missed out completely.
Then as pointed out you get sex linked. In most birds cinnemon is sex linked. eg if mum is cinnemon and dad is not, all cinnemon chicks will be boys. However Males can carry a sex linked gene in the same way as they carry a recessive so it gets even more complicated. When you put apparently normal birds together and a cinnemon turns up. This is why I am promising to keep better records of my Zebra breeding in the future.
Gray is staight forward, but fawn is sexlinked, and many of the other types are recessive or come in both recesive and dominant forms.
Similar situation with Gouldians.
No wonder finch breeders have the odd "extra blond" hair.
LML

[rey2pokey]

thank you guys so much.

[nswchainsaw]

In Zebras Cinnamon = Fawn which is sex linked.
Fawn cock to a Normal Hen = all hens Fawn all Cocks Normal Split Fawn.
Normal Cock to a Fawn Hen = all hens Normal all cocks Normal Split Fawn.
Garry

[finchbreeder]

Thanks for pointing that out Gary.
Sometimes I am so busy getting it right that I forget the flipping point.

LML