Does anyone know of resources for information on color heredity in crossbreeding poultry. I would like to gain an understanding of color gene basics such as, dominant and recessive traits, how to breed for desired color patterns, etc.

Thanks for any info!

Hello!

As far as the genetics books go, I recommend Fred Jeffrey's BANTAM CHICKENS as the easy book to locate. I really found Dr. Hollander's ABC'S OF POULTRY GENETICS to be really helpful starting out. However, the best books I have found though are F.B. Hutt's GENETICS OF THE FOWL (1949) and R.D. Crawford's POULTRY BREEDING AND GENETICS (1990). The Hutt book is rare and the Crawford book is expensive. Go to your local library and ask if they can borrow these from a University library on interlibrary loan by mail...then photocopy the useful parts for your our "poultry genetic" education. It is well worth the trouble!

Thanks,

Inga Ladd
Malden, MO
USA