[breme]

HI,

I have a Fallow Male with good Crest size. I want to get babies with good crest size like the father. Does Mutation or Genetics play a main role to get a good crest size? If so, how do I pair this male so that i can take cockatiel babies with good crests?

Note: This time I am interested in taking good crest size babies, regarless of mutations.

 

[tielfan]

Crest size is controlled by genes but we don't have a good understanding of how it works. Some characteristics are controlled by the interaction of several genes and it's possible that this is true of crest size. Pairing up two birds with good crests doesn't guarantee that all the babies will have good crests but it's a step in the right direction.

 

[Janalee]

crest size

Would gender have anything to do with crest size? Male birds are often "showier" than female birds. I have had only 3 cockatiels: 1 female normal gray, one female lutino, and my current bird, who is a pearl pied male. His crest is larger and fuller than either of the two females' crests. Is that consistent with other mutations?

 

[breme]

Apologies for the delayed reply. Thanks tielfan. This would help!

Crest size is controlled by genes but we don't have a good understanding of how it works. Some characteristics are controlled by the interaction of several genes and it's possible that this is true of crest size. Pairing up two birds with good crests doesn't guarantee that all the babies will have good crests but it's a step in the right direction.

 

[tielfan]

Pied birds tend to have better crests than other mutations. Show breeders recommend pairing pied birds with other mutations to help improve the crests in the other mutations.

I haven't heard of crest size being gender-related though. There are hens with very nice crests.