The following definitions are gven so that you will better understand what is discussed. This is not meant to be a scientific text and the definitions are my own and may be rather simplified. Although chicken genetics can get very complicated, guineafowl haven't yet reached that level of diversity and can be represented by a minimal number of symbols and features.

Gene Loci Symbol - These are the letters and symbols for each trait, one representing the trait inherited from the mother, the other inherited from the father. "M+/M+" shows that pearled plumage "M+" came from the father and mother. "M+/m" shows that one parent contributed a gene for pearled plumage, the other for non-pearled plumage. This match results in partially pearled plumage.

Autosomal genes - These are genes that are independent of the sex of the bird and can be transmitted by either the male or female.

Genotypes - This is what genes the bird carries, regardless of how the bird looks. The genotype is shown by letters and symbols that represent the different features. "M+/M+" is the genotype of fully pearled birds.

Phenotype- This is what the bird actually looks like, regardless of what genes it carries. Phenotypes are usually represented by colors, names or descriptions. If the bird's feather pattern is partially pearled and blue, the phenotype would be the Coral Blue. Other phenotypes refer only to a feature such as Pied .

Recessive - A trait that is hidden when matched with a Dominant gene. When a bird receives recessive genes from both parents the bird will have the recessive trait.

Dominent - A trait that shows up when the bird gets that gene from either parent or both parents.

Incompletely Dominent - Some traits that are recessive, like white feathers, may partially show up when coupled with a dominant gene. The Dominent gene can't completely hide the recessive trait and is called Incompletely Dominent.

These symbols do not represent all of the color possibilities. Using the above symbols, one would surmise that three color intensities are possible for each color/pattern combination, while there are actually four distinct shades of some pattern combination that breed true to color.

The above box shows a cross between two birds that have only one difference - the dilution.

According to the published information if you cross a pearl with a lavender you would get 1/2 lavender keets and 1/2 pearl keets.

This gives you a basic idea of how it works.

There has to be other gene factors involved besides what is listed. For example, Coral Blue is shown to have a recessive gene for color intensity, but Coral Blues breed true to color when bred together. The same holds true for Lavender, but both Coral Blue and Lavender can both produce light variations once those genes are introduced. Lite Lavenders and Lite Blues have been reported from single color flocks of Coral Blue or Lavender.

As you can also see, some colors don't fit onto the chart. Sky blue is essentially a non-pearled Coral Blue, but that genotype has already been used to describe Slate. The research only indicates a non-diluted, partially diluted, or fully diluted color, but there are four shades of color for some combinations.

There seems to be a blue/purple factor that affects the color intensity in some phenotypes such as the Lavender and Coral Blue. The colors are very similiar, but the Coral Blues are a true blue color, while the Lavenders lean towards light grey. Many of the Chocolates show a lot of purple coloring, especially on the breast. Some chocolate individuals have a purple breast and/or a purple sheen on their sides and back, while others have only shades of brown.

There are variations in individual feather patterning that have yet to be exploited. Feathers can be pearled, partially pearled, non-pearled, edged, and laced. Some feathers on the two-toned birds show two different colors and patterns on the same feather. This may be a result of feather growth during development and not permanent. Our only mature bird darkened some during his first molt, but kept the same patterning.

We also have a small number of whites with a small amount of light brown feathering along their sides and on the middle of the back. As keets these have a very large dark area on the top of the head or have a stripe of brown/black down the middle of the head instead of the usual small dot. The adults often have dark feathers at the top of the feathers at the base of thebare skin on the neck. We are getting these birds to reproduce and will decide in the future if we will sell any.

There are also some unnamed color variations that do not fit onto the chart and their genotypes may help determine what other factors are coming into play.

Another color mutation that crops up from time to time includes pure white with patches of black (or pearl grey?) on the shoulder or directly in front of the wing (see above). Another color reported decades ago was white with black dots. It is unknown if this color exists in the United States today.

Please email me with any comments or questions you have about this.