Dilute

Introduction to the mutation that is described on this page. Allele symbol Di.

Status

Generally well accepted but personally there is some doubt^Henk69 wether all aspects are valid. When crossing a mahogany red enhanced breed to certain exhibition grade solid buff chicken, the first generation appears gold, not red enhanced. Since Mahogany is dominant, there must be a dominant gold/red diluter to counteract it. Dilute is viewed as the most suitable candidate for this.

Complicating fact is that there are no known testerlines or breeds that carry Dilute on a wildtype or columbian restricted base, without additional genes that do not affect its suspected traits (other gold/red diluters, Id).

Degree of dominance

Dominant or incomplete dominant, depending on gender^?; see also Heterozygosity.

Phenotypic effect

• dilution of pheomelanin in adult plumage (gold-red)
• dilution of dermal pigment (id+)
• a partial eumelanin restrictor

chick down

• dilution of chicken down (in pheomelanin).
• reduction of lateral stripes on wild type down (stripes remained in the head and eye area)

Heterozygosity

• listed against the other alleles.