Description:
Lavender is a recessive mutation in chickens that causes the bird to become a washed out, light grey color (1). It is often called "self-blue", a term more generally used in exhibition poultry (6). It dilutes both the red and black pigments on a bird to give it the signature color. Similar mutations (though different genes) are also seen in mice, humans, turkey, and quail (2)(3). This gene itself is in a highly mutable exon on the chromosome 7 (1), and because it is well mapped, is often used to figure out the locus of other mutations.
Birds with lavender often have a slightly ragged look to them, though it is unknown if this is caused by the gene itself or other factors. On a microscopic level, lavender has some small variations across color and texture in the feather (1). It also is used to create varieties like Porcelain, which is Lavender on top of Mille Fleur.
Lavender is not currently recognized by the APA in any breed, though "self-blue" (another term for lavender) is recognized in Ameraucana, d'Anvers, Booted, Old English Game, and Silkies.
Breeding with Lavender:
Lavender x Lavender = 100% Lavender
Lavender x Non-Lavender = 100% Lav Splits (looks normal, can't see any sign of lavender, but carries the gene)
Lavender x Lav. Split = 50% Lavender, 50% Lav. Split
Lav. Split x Lav. Split = 25% Lavender, 50% Lav. Split, 25% Non-Lavender
Lav. Split x Non-Lavender = 50% Lav. Split, 50% Non-Lavender
References & Further Reading
Vaez, Mohsen, et al. "A single point-mutation within the melanophilin gene causes the lavender plumage colour dilution phenotype in the chicken." BMC genetics 9 (2008): 1-9.
Minvielle, Francis, David Gourichon, and Jean Louis Monvoisin. "Testing homology of loci for two plumage colors,“lavender” and “recessive white,” with chicken and Japanese quail hybrids." Journal of Heredity 93.1 (2002): 73-76.
DOLLEVOET, PAULA LYNN. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE AVIAN DILUTION MUTANT LAVENDER. THE ROLE OF MICROTUBULES, MICROFILAMENTS AND INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS IN MELANOSOME TRANSLOCATION. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1977.
Mayerson PL, Brumbaugh JA: Lavender, a chick melanocyte mutant with defective melanosome translocation: a possible role for 10 nm filaments and microfilaments but not microtubules. J Cell Sci. 1981, 51: 25-51.
Brumbaugh JA, Chatterjee G, and Hollander WF,1972. Adendritic melanocytes: a mutation in linkage group II of the fowl. J Hered 63: 19–25.
American Poultry Association. (2023). American Standard of Perfection (45th ed.)
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