Wheaten

Wheaten, allele symbol e^Wh, is one of the e-locus alleles. More than one wheaten like e-locus mutation appear to exist. Dominance can vary for these mutations.

Degree of dominance

There is some discussion. Wheaten has some incomplete dominant effects eg on chick down, and degree of melanization. See also Heterozygosity .

Phenotypic effect

Generally less favorable for eumelanin expression.

chick down

Solid yellow chick down. Little dark pattern.

rooster

Resembling the wildtype black breasted (red) phenotype, but with less black hackle and saddle markings and mostly white underfluff.

hen

Body is wheaten colored. Hackle groundcolored as the wildtype but with less black markings. Tail is black but tends to become less pigmented.

Heterozygosity

• Completely recessive to Extended Black and Birchen including chick down.
• Completely dominant to Brown e^b. Except for the so called recessive wheaten variant.
• Incomplete recessive to e⁺. Heterozygote females have a pale center to the salmon wildtype breast. Some red pigment moved to the wings/shouders. See also epistatics.
• Often effect on chick down.

Epistatics

Wheaten works well together with Columbian-like Restrictors in removing black pigment. This effect is already noticable in heterozygotes with eg e⁺ (e⁺/e^Wh).

Patterns

Suitable base for solid groundcolored chickens.

• Buff
• Solid Red