Joseph P. Quinn

A colour mutation in the Rhode Island red fowl

SummaryThe recessive Red-Splashed White mutant from the Rhode Island Red is a gold. It is differentiated from the Rhode Island Red by thepp genes and from the other two recessive whites byGG andOO. The expression of black and red pigment in day-old chicks is affected similarly by thepp genes, the chicks being white. In many instances the white chicks having black or red pigment appeared with a black or red head spot respectively. The adult plumage of the Red-Splashed White chicks did not show any distinctive red head spot, although in most instances they developed some red and red-splashed feathers throughout their plumage. The adult plumage of the chicks with the black head spot was in conformity with the down colour of the chick, there being no black or black-splashed feathers. All the other white and coloured breeds used in the crosses with the Red-Splashed Whites carriedPP.