Cardoon

Cardoon is a newly classified mutation. Originally thought to be basic Redhead or Sparkly, or some combination with fawn, it was sold in the United States as early as 2010 through James Marie Farms (1)(2), and later by Myshire Farms and other sources (3), likely imported from Germany. During this time, there was rumors of a separate Redhead that was compatible with EB, often called "Chocolate Pansy" (4). Recent test breeding by Jen Jordan and Rebecca Lynch in 2024 have found what is believed to be a separate mutation that was likely mixed with regular Redhead during the importation that causes the look of the fabled "Chocolate Pansy", and renamed it "American Pansy" while testing the gene originally(1)(2), later changing the gene name to "Cardoon".

It acts similar to Sparkly and regular Redhead, in that it increases red and black pigment, creating larger "splotches" on the bird. In homozygous, isolated form, it is believed to cause a deep red color with white tips and black centers, almost mimicking the white laced red variety in chickens. (1)(2)

It is thought to have very faint changes on pharaoh - see: the slight narrowing of striations on the back, and slight pattern changes through the breast - but is overall believed to be recessive.

It is likely on E locus, meaning the bird can only have one copy of Redhead and Cardoon at the same time (1). This is not confirmed. While it looks similar to typical German Pansy/Redhead, when mixed with other mutations it causes much more prominent red feathering and white tipping around the edges of each feather.

The proposed order of dominance for this mutation on the E locus is Extended Brown > Sparkly > Pharaoh > Cardoon > Redhead, with Redhead being the least dominant. The gene symbol here is proposed to be E^a. This is not a confirmed order. It is possible it is more or less dominant than other genes.

More testing is needed.

Breeding with Cardoon:

AP x AP = 100% AP

(aa x aa = 100% aa)

AP x Wildtype = 100% Het. AP

(aa x a+a+ = 100% a a+)

AP x Het. AP = 50% Het. AP, 50% AP

(aa x aa+ = 50% aa, 50% aa+)

Het. AP x Het. AP = 25% AP, 50% Het. AP, 25% Wildtype

(aa+ x aa+ = 25% aa, 50% aa+, 25% a+a+)

Het. AP x Wildtype = 50% Het. AP, 50% Wildtype

(aa+ x a+a+ = 50% aa+, 50% a+a+)