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Birchen

Plumage

Part Affected

Autosomal, Dominant

Inheritance

11

Chromosome

E92K

Locus

MC1r

Scientific Gene

Quick Look:

Description:

Birchen is a popular base pattern on the E locus in chickens (1). It causes the bird to have a black body with some stippling (2) with gold edging through the head and hackles, with males having more red through the cape and saddle as well (2). Both sexes will have some lacing going down into the breast, and, even without any additional genes, dark coloration going into some of the toes (2). It looks very similar to the plain extended brown, without any melanizers, but true Birchen will have lacing through the breast in the males (2). It is also set apart by red through the top portion of the wing, while the wing bow itself is black (5). This pattern is seen in Marans (often enhanced with other red enhancements) and Brown Red birds. Chicks will be a dark brown color through the stomach and down (5).


There is some literature that suggests that males will have lighter and more uniform black color through the skin and less eumelanin overall then females with the same birchen (4), and with the addition of melanizers like +id, it is possible to make a line that can be sexed as day olds by the skin color alone (4). Birchen itself often has other genes added on to create an all-black bird, or covered up with other genes to create spangling, lacing, barring, and more patterns. These genes are better seen on Birchen, and often have minimal affect on Extended Black bases (5). Any bird with patterning through male tail feathers is ER based (8).


In order of dominance, it is less dominant than Extended Black, but more dominant than any other mutation on the E locus, including the natural duckwing/wildtype.


Birchen by itself is recognized in American Game, bantam Cochins, Modern Game, and bantam Old English Game. (5) It can be used to create many other accepted varieties as well.


Breeding with Birchen:

Birchen x Birchen = 100% Birchen

Birchen x Duckwing = 100% Het. Birchen

Birchen x Het. Birchen = 50% Birchen, 50% Het. Birchen

Het. Birchen x Het. Birchen = 25% Birchen, 50% Het. Birchen, 25% Duckwing

Het. Birchen x Duckwing = 50% Het. Birchen, 50% Het. Duckwing

References & Further Reading

  1. Kerje, Susanne, et al. "Melanocortin 1‐receptor (MC1R) mutations are associated with plumage colour in chicken." Animal genetics 34.4 (2003): 241-248.

  2. Moore, Jay W., and J. Robert Smyth Jr. "The genetic basis of the birchen pattern of the domestic fowl." Poultry science 51.1 (1972): 214-222.

  3. Campo, J. L., and C. Alvarez. "Genetics of the birchen and blue plumage patterns in Leonesa chickens." Poultry science 72.7 (1993): 1218-1223.

  4. Moore, Jay W., F. P. Jeffrey, and J. R. Smyth Jr. "Sexually dichromatic shank melanization associated with the birchen (ER) allele." Poultry science 51.1 (1972): 332-334.

  5. Dort, Sigrid van, and David Hancox. Genetics of Chicken Colours : The Basics. Avicultura/Delta Press, 2009.


Gallery of Images

Contact Me

River Falls & Seymour, WI // pipsnchicks@gmail.com

Studying Agricultural Engineering, ORCID #0009-0007-0045-3498

WI Licensed Poultry Judge, UWRF Poultry Judging Team & Beef Management Team

Proud member of the American Poultry Association (APA) 

President of the American Coturnix Breeder's Association (ACBA)

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