Zebra quanundrum (update Nov 17)

[L in Ontario]

I had a pair (#1) of Zebs (male = pure white, female = fawn) they gave me 1 fawn male and 4 fawn hens.

I took one of those fawn hens and paired it with a different pure white male (pair #2). Here's a pic of what they have given me (these are about 12 days old). One appears to be white and 2 appear to be fawn. So what on earth is the darkest one???

I then took another of those fawn hens and paired it with a third purse white male (pair #3) and they have 3 chicks with very Very dark skin! Too soon to tell any feathers yet as they are only 3 days old.

Three pairs of Zebs all the same in appearance with three very different clutches!

Here are the older chicks from pair #2 -

[lovemyfinch]

I am going to take a stab at this one Liz....I am imagining that somewhere going back there was a normal or pied parent and this just seems to have come back around in this clutch. They are such cuties.

[L in Ontario]

It could be as you say a 'normal' grandparent somewhere along the line. I don't think there was a pied as there doesn't appear to be any piedness in any of the chicks so far.

Although... I do have a pied male that I want to pair up with another fawn hen to see what they would create Could be very interesting!

[lovemyfinch]

That's the fun with zebras, "they're like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

[L in Ontario]

That's the fun with zebras, "they're like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

I was thinking exactly that too

[L in Ontario]

I wanted to get a pic of the Zeb babies one last time before they fledged - ha ha! I got the shot and then they fledged! I stuffed them back in and kept the cage door closed in front of the nestbox so they could not get back out and into the cage for a few minutes. They calmed down and stayed put... after the photo-shoot of course. They hatched Nov 1 and 2 so they'll be fledging anyday now. They are completely feathered and so I'd like some opinions on the photos. I now know who is fawn and who is white (one of each), but what are the other two identically coloured white with tan-edged feathers! I'm pretty sure they will moult out of that but jee I wish they would keep the white & tan edged colouring!!

[lovemyfinch]

They have grown up sooo much Liz. Aren't they just adorable I have no ideas about mutation, but it is possible that maybe she will keep these colours, my little pearl wwho had the grey tip on her feathers ended up molting into the same colours.

[L in Ontario]

Thanks Janine - yes they did grow quickly. I hpoe you are right and that she does keep the feather tips - makes me think of a Florida Fancy.

I think it's time you gave us updated pics of your Zeb babies too, Janine!

[cindy]

Liz, they are adorable. I love the colors. I can't wait to see how they color out. So sweet.

[Nagdabit]

Yup, looks like you might have at least a single if not a double factor Florida Fancy on your hands there. We have a few that look just like that. (And they just might keep the feather edging colors) http://www.efinch.com/species/ffzeb.htm

While you are probably right about the pied, keep in mind that even though it isn't evident, white birds can be pied. We once had a clutch of two CFW hens that were totally different upon fledging. One had a black beak while the other's was pale. The were other distinctions as well,(which are evading me at the moment) yet once they molted out, both ended up looking identical. After discussing it on the Yahoo forum, the most likely explanation was that the one was pied, but being a white bird, it didn't show.

Don't forget as well that CFW's actually have black skin, so some of your dark babies may end up with white feathers. http://www.efinch.com/species/cfwzeb.htm

Those Zebras sure can be a lot of fun can't they?

[L in Ontario]

Thanks Rory! That's even more confusing than the Gouldian genetics! Strange to hear the dark skins can get lighter coloured feathers - that's happening with some of mine! How bizzare! You're good with this 'stuff'!

[Nagdabit]

Glad to help out. For us experience has been the best teacher. I've read how some try to predict what Zebras will produce when paired together , but like you said, they aren't like Goulds. While there are some hard and fast rules that help to give you a general idea of what to expect, they're gonna throw you a curve ball now and again. Our guys have given us plenty of "where the heck did that come" from moments.

[Pukasand]

Liz, they are beautiful. I have never seen such unique Zebra coloring. Definately keepers! I sure hope they stay the same. I'd be tempted to make my way back to Zebs again. They are lovely! Very, very nice.

[Animal Quackers]

Liz, they are beautiful. I have never seen such unique Zebra coloring. Definately keepers! I sure hope they stay the same. I'd be tempted to make my way back to Zebs again. They are lovely! Very, very nice.

I agree!

[CandoAviary]

Liz,
Very pretty chicks. They look like isabel. There are many mutations with the isabel. Florida Fancy being one of them.

" Isabel is more of a patterns of colors. The isabel look is also known as the 'pearling' look."

This patteren can be found in silvers, phaeos.
It would be easier to gues with pics of the parents. Possibly from what you said that you paired a fawn with a white, possibly the whites were /FF. This would bring the isabel pattern out in some of the offspring.