What determines egg shell color ?

[Longtailedchicken]

I guess that's a pretty broad question. If say one was trying to breed to get the bluish green egg color does the hen ones using determine the color eggs her offspring will lay or does the rooster play a part also ?

Rick

[Kickingbird]

Rick,

Here is the short answer, both play a role geneticaly. I'll give a more complete answer later, I'm in a rush right now

KB

[Kickingbird]

Ok, Here goes a little more indepth explanation. In normal egg color (i.e. brown and white) there are several genes that control the color and the interactions are very complex not very well understood.

However in blue egg layers the gene that controls the color is autosomal, meaning both the rooster and the hen carry copies of the gene, and it is simply inherited. This is the only trait that in egg production that is controled by one gene. This was tested by R.C. Punnet in 1933. He found that the if there is only one copy of the gene the hens will lay green to olive eggs. Differing shades of shell are due to the egg being blue and then other shades of shell coloring are being deposited over the blue.

Here is something that you may be interested in. The gene appears to be closley linked to the pea comb gene. There fore it would be very difficult without mutation to breed a chicken that lays green/blue eggs and has a single comb.

Hope this helps.

Mark

[Longtailedchicken]

Mark,
Extremely interesting ! Thanks for the input. Guesss we'll just have to let it run it's course and see what happens. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.

Very best regards,
Rick

[Kickingbird]

Thanks ;D It's been a long time comming...LOL

Mark