renee

The Multiple alleles for the gene we are talking about here are: 1. normal, 2. GF, 3. YFll, 4. YFl, andf 5. blue. Until more variations mutate, these are the only possibilities that can go in this spot. It might help to think of it like names in a hat. No other names are possible in this hat. But, your chick doesn't get to pick from all 5, it only gets to pick from the ones it's parents have to put into the hat. Each parent has 2 to put in, so there are 4 in there, total. The chick only gets to pick 2. (Obviously, chicks don't pick their own genes, but then again, the hat is imaginary anyway ) Incidentally, since the chick picks 2 and there are 2 left, the one you were hoping the father would pass down to the offspring is almost guaranteed to be one of the ones left behind! Does this help at all, Renee? Yes it does Finnie, Thank You! So when we talk about the gene being on the same allele, we mean that in that specific point of the gene sequence one allele from each parent will be inherited? And in this particular case the options are one allele being Green, GF, YFI, YFII or Blue!

Well done Splat! You overcome adversity and got everything done - looking forward to photos! :question:

Just me spending a little too much time on this forum The Kahlua reference was just a lucky guess that fitted in with the story. 40% eh, may have to fit that into the minutes somehow! you're a genius Daryl. Very Funny!

Hmmmmmm. okay I see I am going to have to remain sober tomorrow :question: So, let me get this straight. When a chick is formed it inherits its features and Variation from its parents in the form of genes, specifically one allele per characteristic from each parent? When we talk about the sequence of dominance . ie. Green, YF, Blue, What is that group of genes called?

Alright I have a question now. I thought that each allele could carry 3 genes, in this case in order of dominance Green, YF and Blue. Seeing as the YF gene removes yellow pigmentation, Has the YF gene actually mutated or is the denomination of GF, Mutant YFI and Mutant YFII just terminology that has been coined to described the diminishing yellowness?

Finnie you are an ABSOLUTE STAR! Yes, the way you have described does make a LOT more sense. I am going to read and re-read your post so I can commit it to memory - then maybe I will have a couple more questions. THANK YOU! :party0011:

She looks a bit pale for a Violet. Did you take those photos with a flash?

I'm sorry to hear that. Did they get into the bucket of water or strangle on the ties you used to secure the branch?

I put my branches into a full bucket with a lid on it so they don't commit suicide and drown: It keeps the branches fresher for longer!

Wow that's fascinating! How do you know this, from breeding experience or from something you've read?

Oh, no,no,no - Definitely an Albino! :rofl: The camera's fine I'm just cr*p at taking photos! This guy is amazing but I can't do him justice .... c'est la vie.

well renee that is one beaut bird you managed to grab hold of my goodness but again the key hole lol im sorry to say all good birds moden or not have this look you want the mask to be as your bird above who by way i would be using much as possible :hug: lol Well I may be biased but I think he is PERFECT!

Well GB that Violet hen IS one of the best that I bred in 07 but she is a psycho however, if anyone is going to get anything out of her it is you 'cause you have rare talent for looking after your birds. I ask a lot from my birds, that have to show well, breed well and I don't like them napping during the day! Funny....I just noticed even this guy has a keyhole look Renee :rofl: actually quite a few on the photos of the birds at the Nationals did have that look. I KNOW! I saw that too ... I guess that is an example of how the goal post keep on moving ... it was only really last year and especially this year that I heard the term "the modern bird" and it was being used in relation to the rounded headed birds. Here is an example of that Round Headed bird I have been talking about, not my bred, it is a Cec and Brenda Gearing bird I was lucky enough to buy earlier this year (sorry if the photo is blurry!)

Well Kaz my dearest you don't drink AND you have a much better head for genetics than I .... but yes, I can see our brave lecturers being driven to drink ... :hug: I will endeavor to provide "quality" alcohol so the hang over isn't too severe!

:hug:

On the subject of Yellow Faces again, How did it happen that there are so many "Mutants"? This Variety, it seems to me, is pretty unique as the others are very straightforward in comparison. I mean for example, it is either a Cinnamon/Opaline/Normal/Dommie Pied/Spangle etc or it's not, there doesn't seem to be mutations within it .... or are there and we just don't know about them and don't breed them?

I cannot imagine a worse experience! We have all lost birds to fluke events but every bird at that show was probably an example of the best in that person's aviary .... How tragic and awful for the organizers.

Congratulations Dean, they are lovely and I totally understand why you are "in Love" with her! Regarding the "crest" you mentioned, I may be wrong but I think those feathers were an indication of the blow she was going to develop as she went into her moult, not a crest per se.

Well I'm not doing "anything else" and I still find it complicated. However, I will say this : Genetics helps you understand the variety but sometimes birds are visually the same but with different genetic make up and it is ONLY when you breed them that all is revealed (I am thinking of Violets here as an example). And genetics will only take you so far, as Show Budgie breeders we are breeding to a Standard of Style of bird and when you put that bird up on the bench 60 points is dedicated to that Standard. Which is why you are often advised in Show Budgie circles to "breed the bird"!

Ahhhhh THAT's what I'm talking about! For those of us who were lucky to see this bird in the flesh in 2008 ..... well to say it was an eye opener is an understatement!

Yeah, I know! Actually I believe this bird is bred to the UK Standard, the Australian Standard calls for a longer bird, maybe add an inch or two. It's hard to find a picture of the "ideal" budgie as many photos don't show the whole bird .... Kaz, do you have full frontal photo of Bob Smith's Blue boy? I can't seem to download this year's 09 winning birds 'cause they are pdf format ... Kaz?

oooooh They are Beautiful! :fear

Renee, I think it's because there are 3 different types of "yellow face", and unfortunately, they decided to name two of them the same. They should have named it something different like "half yellow body" :hug: So if I have it straight, (I hope) we have: Golden Face (also known as Australian) SF and DF Yellow Face mutant I (also known as Type 1) SF and DF Yellow Face mutant II (henceforth known as "half yellow body" -just kidding) SF and DF By the way, I must say, I have been finding this thread riveting! It has drawn me out of hiding just a bit. :fear (You're all lucky that I'm only brave enough to say about 1% of all that I am thinking! :bliss: ) Oh My Gawd .... You mean there are THREE types of Yellow Faces!!! No Wonder I'm confused! I thought there were only two .... :fear RIP and Nubbly, you have got your work cut out for you with me trying to make head or tail of it! Best we address the whole Yellow Face thing before we hit the grog .... ?

i doubt it renee....There are others doing greywings and have been for longer than me. I have to get some of these ones coming through with better body colour too. It will all take time. There are no overnight successes in this game. I may put big blue to a greywing hen i have for some decent splits though. you mean you are "thinking" about it?! :fear i would have though it was a no-brainer! in fact i would be putting big blue to as many hens as possible ... At least a couple of greywing hens! big blue will be double clutching with his cec gearing hen first. Then a holiday and then pair up later maybe april or so. Or i can wait till his Cec Gearing hen is sitting on eggs and borrow him off into another cage off and on to service some greywing hens :fear

I doubt it Renee....there are others doing greywings and have been for longer than me. I have to get some of these ones coming through with better body colour too. It will all take time. There are no overnight successes in this game. I may put Big Blue to a greywing hen I have for some decent splits though. You mean you are "thinking" about it?! :fear I would have though it was a no-brainer! :hug: In fact I would be putting Big Blue to as many hens as possible ... at least a couple of Greywing hens!