Rudy, the survivor

[catjac1975]

What is that beautiful bird? Is that Rudy or a new naked chicken?

 

[Kassaundra]

That is a new one just hatched today.

 

[catjac1975]

Is it the same parents? Isn't that a rare genetic trait? DO you think the meat industry would be interested in those genetics?

 

[Kassaundra]

It is rare, but I have several carriers in my flock. I have been breeding for the carrier gene for a while now.

 

[journey11]

Wow, that is too awesome! I love the pics with his/her family too.

 

[bobm]

Is it the same parents? Isn't that a rare genetic trait? DO you think the meat industry would be interested in those genetics?

I saw a number of total featherless chickens just like rudy at UCDavis Poultry Husbandry Department back in 1961. Not anymore after a few years of experimenting. If the poultry meat industry were interested in that trait, they would be producing that type of bird by the millions by now. They cost too much to grow out , not to mention their red skin color for the market place to be profitable.

 

[Kassaundra]

The gene mutation first report of occurring was in a flock in CA in the 50's. Yes they experimented back then, but they are working on it again. Mostly w/ a gear towards mixing the meat (Cornish cross) and the Sc gene for COMMERCIAL use in hot 3rd world countries for a way to have cheaper commercial protein sources. Those commercial / university programs that are trying have access to this gene, it isn't new to them at all.

I am sure this gene mutation has been in chickens for a long long time, however as you can imagine w/o human intervention this is not a survivable mutation in the wild, also even if the individual could survive here and there in the hotter areas there is still a significant breeding problem if left to breed as a natural chicken does. A full grown roo could not defend himself to keep or get a flock of girls, a girl would be torn to bits on her head, back and sides if a roo w/ nails, and spurs mounted her, and would tear a hole in her head trying to grab on.

The red skin is only due to testosterone in a sexually mature roo, it does not survive death and if grown commercially would never reach sexual maturity age. Both Rudy and this new chick have yellow skin, harder to see in the pics but clearly visible in real life. Rudy has the fm gene also which changes his skin color somewhat, that is why he was so grey/green (grey from the fm, green from the combo of light fm over yellow) when younger. If this new little one has fm she has a significant dilute so that it isn't very visible.

 

[Kassaundra]

Well I decided to bring "Miss Priss" (not sure that name is it, just testing it out) in and brood her inside. I hate that for her since she will be alone, but it is cloudy and rainy all week and she just can't manage w/o the heat and sunshine. She is great when she is under mom, but when mom takes them all for walks and food she is just staying to cold she won't eat, just cry and try and get under mom who is frantically digging. I tried a baby sock dress on her first, but even w/ it she was struggling, so inside it is and here are a few quick snap shots.

Here is Miss Priss in her pink baby sock dress and in her new digs, complete w/ blue mom, I never brood inside w/o "blue mom"

 

[Smart Red]

LOVE that blue mom brooder. What a great idea!

Cute outfit. Are you sure SHE is a Miss?

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks, and nope, actually pretty confidant she is a he, just hopeful / wishful thinking.