Hen feathered Roo/Hennie genes

[NeedMoreChickems]

Can anyone point me to some literature on Hennies? Or explain to me how that was achieved? I have a half asil, half hennie, I'm trying to get a better understanding of the genetics on that side before I decide on a mate for him.

 

[troyer]

Can anyone point me to some literature on Hennies? Or explain to me how that was achieved? I have a half asil, half hennie, I'm trying to get a better understanding of the genetics on that side before I decide on a mate for him.

Perhaps a Sebright thread would be a good place to ask. I have limited experience with henny feathered fowl, those being Sebright crosses. Assuming the parents of the Asil cross were pure, the henny trait pure is two genes. Assuming the Asil line is pure for regular feathering, when bred to a henny feathered bird all the offspring have a henny and a regular feathered gene. The males will have varying male to female feathering, some of them having almost a complete male feathering look to the opposite which would be to look like a henny feathered male. Usually in the first adult molt the ones with more male-like feathers will feather in looking more henny feathered.
Breeding the Asil cross to a regular feathered line will statistically produce 50% non henny feathering and 50% single gene carriers meaning the same as highlighted above.
If you breed to a henny feathering line you'll statistically get 50% full henny feather and 50% single henny feather gene also same as the highlighted section.

 

[DarJones]

Hen feathering is from reduced testosterone. It has several negatives including reduced fertility for roosters. Hen feathering is useful for breeds such as laced or special colors where the hen colors are desired. Hen feathering was used in several early breeding efforts such as with Silver Laced Wyandottes. You can find pictures in old books.