Black IRN

[Youngspud]

First of all, has anybody seen or heard of a near black IRN?
I have seen a dark grey with partial black wings and tail but never heard of a virtually full body black IRN. What got me thinking this was when I was out at a friends looking at his newest acquisition when I noticed one of his grey IRN but a darker grey than mine and most that I have seen and started to wonder had it been done before?, could it be done?
Anyone know or have an opinion on how this could possibly be done?
... Keeping in mind it would more than likely take years to breed this colour mutation.

[Recio]

Hi youngsup,

Where are you from? Ozy? Does your friend own australian cobalts or Deep birds?
What about a pic?

Regards

Recio

[Sherjil]

Just wondering , is the black ring around the male rose ringed parakeet or the alexandrine because of structural change in the feathers or because of high concentration of melanin pigment.

If the 2nd case is true then I think selective breeding of grey (structural) mutation wont be of much help !

Is there any mutation in which production of melanin is increased than a normal wild bird ?

[Johan S]

Is there any mutation in which production of melanin is increased than a normal wild bird ?

Now that is a very good question... It is hypothesized that the deep factor might do this. Recio will be able to explain better.

[Youngspud]

Hey yeh I am from Vic in Australia, I have looked into it a bit more, my grey came from my uncle who was selectively breeding greys for a darker mutation before his passing, I picked the darkest one I could obviously but I am only just starting this program, I believe the best way would be to combine selective colour breeding with finding a way to increase melatonin levels in the genetics. I am clearing out some aviary space so I can start with four pairs and house the babies of each pair separately, any ideas on how to increase melatonin levels in the genetics not just the single bird?

I had seen on this site a black headed IRN, if there was a way to determine how the genetic makeup of the bird created the black head it would help alot. I have a feeling it has something to do with breedig an IRN to a plumhead earlier in the process and then breeding the baby back to an IRN until it is back close enough to a pure IRN.

[Youngspud]

Hi molasses, do you know how the black head appeared even if it was only for that first year?

[Youngspud]

Recio, I don't have those two but will be looking at getting one once I have setup more space. I will try to get a pic of my mates but he is very private with his birds. I love the cobalt ones so Im going to try and got onto one of those.

[Youngspud]

Melanin* not melatonin