Is it possible to reverse Mutations back to Normals

[Craig52]

I don't like where this is heading. Can we call it a draw,or agree to disagree. Debate is good but this is getting tooooo long.

I tend to agree E Orix,i dropped out of this thread long ago as i didn't want to get roped in.Paul ,just keep up the good work with your gouldians,it's nobodies business what you do. Cheers Craig

[TomDeGraaff]

Back to the topic ! If your population only shows recessive phenotypes, then wildtypes are gone and no amount of breeding will bring them back (except maybe a random mutation BACK to normal!).

To eliminate recessives in a mixed population is virtually achievable but never really perfectly guaranteed.
As Tiaris said, in sex-linked recessives wildtype hens are just that, normal with no hidden sex-linked recessive genes. However, the cocks can still be carriers so its no complete solution.

The only way is to continually test mate and remove the undesired phenotypes.

Pieds I think are quite insidious in a population because a bird can be pied and hardly show it. Thus, many birds passing as normals will, in fact, be pied.
One might consider the wildtype bird as a type of dominant mutation!! It takes patience and a studbook style of determination just as those who establish new mutations.

[vettepilot_6]

So if I keep all the non visual splits and keep crossing and outcrossing over a few years I should get pretty close...is this what I should do Uraeginthus?

[TomDeGraaff]

I'd bring in as little new stock as possible. You would be adding more unknowns unless you are really confident of the source.
I would keep the visual normals and remove all those mutations, splits and those have have thrown mutations (which are of course splits!).
I would imagine after a couple of years your stock would be lookin' good. No guarantees that surprises wouldn't still pop up!