Photo of a Chocolate Silkie Chicken from Diva Girl Silkies and The Silkie Lab

DNA Testing – Chocolate Feather Gene

$18.00

Chocolate Feathering Test (TYRP1 Gene – Sex-Linked Recessive Mutation)
The chocolate feathering trait in chickens is caused by a sex-linked recessive mutation on the TYRP1 gene, located on the Z chromosome. This mutation dilutes black pigment (eumelanin), resulting in a rich chocolate-brown coloration instead of solid black.

Because it’s sex-linked, the gene behaves differently in males and females:

  • Males have two Z chromosomes (ZZ), and must inherit two copies of the chocolate allele (b/b) to display the trait.

  • Females have one Z chromosome (ZW), so a single copy of the chocolate allele (b/-) is enough for them to express the phenotype.

This test detects whether the chocolate allele (b) is present or absent in your bird’s DNA.

Tested in our own lab. No shipping charges, results post to your account in about 2 to 3 business days after your samples arrive.

How to collect a feather sample
  1. Pluck 3 to 5 growing feathers from the chest or back. Pull them out, do not cut them.
  2. Check that the soft quill tip is attached to each one. That tip holds the DNA, a cut feather will not work.
  3. Put each bird's feathers in their own labelled paper envelope or a small ziplock.
  4. Mail the envelopes to us in a regular stamped envelope.

Takes about a minute per bird. No vet visit, and nothing ships to you first.

*Please do not choose this option for Silkies who do not yet have real feathers. This does not work with chick down. Please use blood spots on a plain piece of white paper or an index card for silkies that aren’t old enough to have real feathers yet. 

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