Fawn

Fawn is the mutation that causes both Italian (one copy of the gene) and Manchurian (two copies of the gene). In both cases, it makes the bird a light yellow color, with black markings. It was officially named "fawn" in a lab in 1988, though it existed before then due to the Jumbo Manchurian lines that were prevalent in the United States. It was likely confused with Lethal Yellow, a similar mutation that is on the same gene and locus, but different allele (4). Lethal Yellow is similar in color, but is not publically available and is a completely separate mutation. A Fawn-2 mutation was also named later in a Japanese lab in 1992, but confirmed to be the same mutation as regular Fawn (9), and they are used interchangeably in studies. Fawn has no associated health issues in either Italian or Manchurian forms.

For Italian (heterozygous Fawn), the bird will be a golden straw color with black "v" shaped marks on each feather. They should have a clean mask, with a thin strap of off-white feathering under their chins. Poorly marked Italians will not have black on every feather, but should still have more markings than a Manchurian. The black markings may also be slightly red in the back and wing plumage, though should not extend to the facial markings in the hens, as this is often a sign of Roux or another mutation. All black and consistent markings are considered ideal.

These are feather sexable both by the face and breast plumage as young as 14 days of age (7). Females will develop black speckles down the breast and two black stripes across the face, while males will have a yellow/cream colored breast and often red markings on the face or a full red cap.

For Manchurian (homozygous Fawn) the bird will be the same straw color, but ideally without black markings. They will often have white shafting across the back, and while there may be some residual black "v" marks, these should still be significantly less markings than in Italian. While it is a bit harder to feather sex Manchurians, it is still possible to do by facial features (7). Females will not have many, if any, speckles down the front of the breast, but will still have the distinct lines across the face, while males will have a reddish face and often full black or red face cap.

The gene symbol is Y^12, and the order of dominance is Recessive Black < Calico < Wildtype < Lethal Yellow < Fawn.

Breeding With Fawn:

Manchurian x Manchurian = 100% Manchurian

(12/12 x 12/12 = 100% 12/12)

Manchurian x Wildtype = 100% Italian

(12/12 x 12+/12+ = 100% 12/12+)

Manchurian x Italian = 50% Italian, 50% Manchurian

(12/12 x 12/12+ = 50% 12/12+, 50% 12/12)

Italian x Italian will get you 25% Wildtype, 50% Italian and 25% Manchurian,

(12/12+ x 12/12+ = 25% 12+/12+, 50% 12/12+, 25% 12/12)

Italian x Wildtype will get you 50% Italian, 50% Wildtype

(12/12+ x 12+/12+ = 50% 12/12+, 50% 12+/12+)

For more information about breeding with this kind of gene, including tips and tricks and a full explanation of how these results were calculated, please see here.