Genetics of the OCHRE Mourning Dove

  In talking with Gene Hochlan and other breeders about this color, the terms or names widely used by most fanciers having this mutation are: Ochre (male & female) as referring to the pure OCHRE (red) color; the name Intermediate is used to describe the male (never females) which are important from a breeding standpoint of OCHRE. Gene did quite extensive genetic research on the OCHRE MOURNING DOVE and is most responsible for allowing fanciers around the US to obtain this beautiful color mutation.

The following is taken directly from Gene’s handwritten letter: Even though the INTERMEDIATE Ochre cocks do not look as spectacular as do the HOMOZYGOUS Ochre cocks or even the Ochre hens they are just as valid and important from a breeding standpoint. Don’t look at them as a cross between OCHRE and WILD TYPE as though the two colors represented two different kinds of doves. The enclosed mating chart will show that an INTERMEDIATE (HETEROZYGOUS) cock has more value or genetic penetrance than does an OCHRE hen when the two are mated to WILD TYPE. See matings #4 & #5.

Note: When I say that a certain mating will produce ½ of this and ½ of that it is true – but remember that MOTHER NATURE does not work that neatly and it could take several years for HER to give you a precise 50/50 average – but eventually SHE will do it.

"OCHRE" COLOR MUTATION MOURNING DOVE

GENETIC INHERITANCE (SEX-LINKED DOMINANT)

March 3, 1987

Ochre Color Mating Chart

I. HOMOZYGOUS (Pure) OCHRE Cock X OCHRE Hen

All sons will be HOMOZYGOUS or PURE OCHRE

All daughters will be OCHRE

HOMOZYGOUS (Pure) OCHRE Cock X WILD TYPE Hen

All sons will be HETEROZYGOUS or INTERMEDIATE OCHRE

All daughters will be OCHRE

INTERMEDIATE (Heterozygous) OCHRE Cock X OCHRE Hen

½ of their sons will be HOMOZYGOUS or Pure OCHRE

½ of their sons will be HETEROZYGOUS or INTERMEDIATE OCHRE

½ of their daughters will be OCHRE

½ of their daughters will be WILD TYPE

IV. INTERMEDIATE (Heterozygous) OCHRE Cock X WILD TYPE Hen

½ of their sons will be HETEROZYGOUS or INTERMEDIATE OCHRE

½ of their sons will be WILD TYPE

½ of their daughters will be OCHRE

½ of their daughters will be WILD TYPE

 

WILD TYPE Cock X OCHRE Hen

All sons will be HETEROZYGOUS or INTERMEDIATE OCHRE

All daughters will be WILD TYPE

NOTE: ALL WILD TYPE youngsters from these mating are just as Normal wild type as the ones you see in your backyard. If you DON’T SEE OCHRE; you DON’T HAVE OCHRE. Only cocks can be INTERMEDIATE (Heterozygous) OCHRE, never hens. Hens are either OCHRE or WILD TYPE.

"OCHRE" COLOR MUTATION DESCRIPTION

HOMOZYGOUS (Pure) OCHRE Cocks:

Color is yellow-orange (earth-tone) with the normally black wing spots bleached to PURE WHITE. Primary and secondary flight feathers are bleached to SILVERY WHITE as are the tail feathers except for the center 3 or 4.

OCHRE Hens:

Color is yellow-orange (earth-tone), usually a shade darker then the homozygous (pure) Ochre cocks, with the normally black wing spots bleached to LIGHT GRAY. Primary and secondary flight feathers are bleached to SILVERY GRAY as are the tail feathers except for the center 3 or 4.

HETEROZYGOUS (Intermediate) OCHRE Cocks:

The color of these cocks is extremely interesting because they are exactly intermediate between OCHRE and WILD TYPE. They are very easy to differentiate from OCHRE hens and Homozygous (pure) OCHRE cocks and, of course, from WILD TYPE.

NOTE: Homozygous OCHRE cocks and OCHRE hens look almost identical in the juvenile plumage but can be readily sexed as adults once you know what to look for.

                                             
Articles TOC                                Ochre MD