WattaBird! Avoid Breeding this Pairing in African LoveBirds

WattaBird! Avoid Breeding this Pair in African LoveBirds

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I have noticed an African LoveBirds mutation that is characterized by gradation in its feathers on the wings that looks similar to a Euwing mutation and yet looks different from the photos of Euwings I usually see on posts. The plumage looks like strands and different. I became interested to learn and understand this mutation, so I did my research. 

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“If You have any questions, suggestions, or topics to discuss, please leave a comment below.”

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My research led me to this article from LoveBird Breeding Tips and Mutation Guide.

This article explained the reason behind the unexpected result of breeding back to back Euwing African LoveBirds. 

The back story is based on a breeding pair intended to produce Green Euwing Opaline LoveBirds.

The breeding pair used was a Green Euwing Split-Opaline Cock paired to a Green Euwing Hen.

This breeding pair is projected to produce Green Euwing Split-Opaline Sons, Green Euwing Opaline Daughters (since Opaline is Sex-Linked), Normal Sons and Normal Daughters. 

While the breeding pair is good based on the breeding chart and have produced the desired offspring (Green Euwing Opaline LoveBirds), the genetics did not mix very well in the Euwing mutation. 

The Author, in his own words described the feathers as looking crumpled, not inflated, and untidy. The feathers look twisted and looks severe on the wings even after the second molting.

So, what happened in the Euwing mutation?

The Back to Back Euwing  (both Cock and Hen carry the Euwing mutation) pairing in this case produced a Double Factor (DF) Euwing and around 80 to 90 percent of the time DF Euwing will have broken feathers. 

The feathers become wrinkled and twisted because of the build up of melanin in the feathers. 

The offspring’s health also deteriorates and most of these DF Euwing LoveBirds cannot fly. 

Therefore, it is not recommended to pair Back to Back Euwing LoveBirds because of the deterioration of the DF Euwing LoveBirds health instead of breeding to improve on this mutation.

Again, special thanks to the Author from LoveBird Breeding Tips and Mutation Guide for sharing the knowledge. I learned a lot from this article.

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This is a Double Factor (DF) Mauve Euwing Opaline Split-PF African LoveBird

This is a result of breeding a pair of

Mauve Euwing Opaline PF (Cock) x Violet Euwing Opaline (Hen)

This is a Back to Back Euwing Breeding Pair 

Take of note the offspring's feathers visual presentation in the photo below.

 

Double Factor (DF) Mauve Euwing Opaline Split-PF

DDF Opaline Euwing Parblue

DDF Opaline Euwing Mauve

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Here are some of the Euwing Opaline LoveBirds

Look at the big difference in the gradation of the feathers.

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Here is a side by side comparison

Double Factor (DF) Mauve Euwing Opaline (LEFT) versus 

Green Euwing Opaline and Violet Euwing (RIGHT)

 

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Reference: LoveBird Breeding Tips and Mutation Guide

Photo Credits: DKA Aviary (DF Mauve Euwing Opaline) and Jun Aviary (Euwing Opaline LoveBirds)

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"The main objective of WattaBird.com is to promote African LoveBirds Breeding as a hobby, share breeding experiences, tips, techniques, best practices, and most importantly, to promote camaraderie among LoveBirds Breeders." - WattaBird.com

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