Introduction to Form and Feathering of the Domestic Fowl

In this introduction to the genetics of form and feathering of the domestic fowl you willfi nd astraightforward method that allows anyone, beginner or advanced hobbyist, to understand howthe major genes of form and feathering come together to create the silhouette that is the hallmarkof each breed. Beginning with a discussion of the skeleton genes, then moving to musclinggenes, feathering genes andfi nally to comb genes, an understanding of the layers that make thesilhouette is revealed. From this system of understanding how the silhouette is formed, one canthen understand what really makes one breed unique from another.All of the genes presented herein are found in the commonly seen exhibition breeds and manyhobbyists will be familiar with these breeds, but may be less familiar with the genetic factorsinvolved. This volume is a wonderful tool for learning the basis of how the breeds are made, howtheir respective forms are derived from separate genes of form and feathering, and how thosegenes all come together to make the one visual impression that we consider a breed. There is infact no one single gene which makes the form of any given breed. Many genes are required toderive each type and the combination of those many genes creates the silhouette. As you willsee from the many silhouette illustrations in this book, once you know a breed, it is instantlyrecognizable from its silhouette alone.In addition to the discussion of the genes, there is a discussion of basic genetic concepts and of thecomplex and often confusing method of quantitative selection that is very applicable to many ofthe genes described herein. This book presents a very clear system for learning about the geneticsof form and feathering in the domestic fowl and is written to be understood by the young andbeginners alike.