Color Genetic Exercise

As we know, babies take one copy of the color gene from each parent.    In today's post, we'll play the game of filling in the blanks of the parents' color genes with information from the babies.    The sire of the babies in the photos is a REW and dam is a blue.     

We don't get much information on REW from visualization, it's ----cc---- , translates to "the rabbit is an albino but the rest of the color genes is unknown".    

The basic color genes of blue is: aaB-C-ddE- , translates to self with black (B),  full color (C) and dilute (dd) and the color is extended (E).  

These three babies are black tort.  Black tort is aaB-C-D-ee.   that indicates both parents have at least an a, the sire has a D and both parents have at least an e.

This is another picture of the three black tort bunnies.    Now we know a bit more of the parents' color genes:

Sire REW   -a--ccD--e

Dam Blue  aaB-C-ddEe

Comparing to the basic REW, we learn that the sire has a self gene, a dense (D) gene and a non-extension gene (e); the dam has an non-extension gene (e).  

There are three fawn bunnies in the same litter.   It's not totally clear whether they are black based fawn or chocolate based fawn as there are a bit of grayish tips on the ears and on the nose, thus we cannot for sure put in a chocolate gene b.     The basic color genes of a fawn is  A---C-D-ee   and since the dam is a blue, we can decide that the agouti gene A came from the REW sire.  

Here is a closer look at the three fawn bunnies.    Now we are able to fill in a bit more blanks of their parents' color genes:

REW sire: Aa--ccD--e

Blue dam: aaB-C-ddEe

In addition to the three black torts and three fawns, there is the 7th baby, a chestnut.   

The chestnut color genes are: A-B-C-D-E-.  All these color genes have been identified in the parents color gene already, no new information added.    We are sure that REW sire is Aa--ccD--e and the blue dam is aaB-C-ddEe.

Since there is no REW in the litter, it is likely that the blue dam does not carry c, so we could guesstimate that she is 

aaB-CCddEe.   Since there is no dilute bunnies in the litter, though not totally sure,  we can speculate that the sire does not carry d, and we could tentatively put a D there: Aa--ccDD-e.      

One more piece of information: the mother of the blue dam is a chocolate agouti, so the blue dam should carry the chocolate gene b.  From the information of an earlier generation, the blue dam's last blank is filled:  aaBbCCddEe.

Just for fun, here is a photo of the 7 bunnies when they were younger.   The bunnies on the left have dark ears which show that the bunnies are self color, thus black tort; the 4 bunnies on the right have light ears indicate that the bunnies are agouti patterned, thus fawn and chestnut.   

Sunday Show D Angora Judging at Turlock

The French Angora are waiting for their judging in show D on Sunday February 23, 2020.

Show D judge for Angora is Jennifer Milburn of CA.

Judge Jennifer commenting on a French Angora colored senior buck.

Judge Jennifer is examining a chocolate French Angora doe.

The Satin Angora are on the other side of the table.

There are five white Satin Angora and two colored Satin Angora.   

Casey in the right is clerking, Ashley in the middle is putting her rabbit on the table and judge Jennifer is checking for disqualification.

The third Angora breed on the table is the English Angora.   On the table is a very young white English Angora.

For a list of class winners, go to:

http://angorashowresults.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-22-23-2020-angora-showing-at.html

Sunday Show C Angora Judging at Turlock

California State Convention holds two days of shows.  Show C and show D are held on Sunday, February 23, 2020.  There are more Angora exhibitors present on Sunday than on Saturday.

Show C judge for Angoras is Allen Mesick of CA.  Allen is good with all breeds but especially well known for knowing wool.  He is one of the top Angora goat breeder/exhibitor in the country.    On Allen's table is a beautiful white English Angora senior doe.   Casey clerks at the table.

Judge Allen is looking at a winner of the future.

This senior colored English Angora has a tremendous coat.

The little black English Angora is in the colored junior doe class.

Judge Allen is commenting on the French Angora colored senior buck.   Carol fills in to take comments.

On the table is a French Angora broken senior doe.

Judge Allen is examining a white Satin Angora.  

Judge Allen is impressed with the two Satin Angora senior does.  

Here are the two BOV Satin Angora, these two does alternate their wins from show to show.  Today is the day for the white doe.   

For class winners, go to:

https://angorashowresults.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-22-23-2020-angora-showing-at.html

Saturday Angora Judging at Turlock

California State Convention was held at Turlock, CA on Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23, 2020.

On Saturday, there are only 5 English Angora shown.   

French Angora has a bit better showing of 9.   The judges for show A and show B are Doug King and Jeremy Watmuff.

In this photo, Doug is in the middle wearing strip shirt.  Jeremy has a French Angora on his table.

  

On the other side of the judging table are Carolyn, Jennifer and Pattee watching the judging.

Pattee has a great day on Saturday, her sole English Angora won BOB in both shows so does her Lionhead.

For a list of winners, go to:

https://angorashowresults.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-22-23-2020-angora-showing-at.html

Casey's English Angora Ava Wins All Breed Best In Show

Casey's English Angora Casey's Ava is a beauty, she has been doing very well in shows, and at the California State Convention show D, she ….

… wins the nod from judge Cheryl Blackman of Texas and received the honor of Best In Show. Casey is a happy and proud mama.   

Convention Memories - Betty's Son Joe

Whenever Joe and I see other, we'd take a picture.   "Mom" and "Son".  
How and why such a mom and son relationship?

As mentioned in the post yesterday, there were very few Asians in the wonderful world of rabbits in the old days.  Whenever there are Asians, people were inclined to think that we are related.   

In 2003, Joe and I were very fortunate to have our rabbits won Group in the ARBA convention at Wichita.  Mine was an English Angora and Joe's was a Tan that went on to win the convention Best In Show.   Since my English Angora by then had already won convention Best In Show in 1992 and then convention Group in 2001, others were familiar with me.  This was Joe's first big win, people were not as familiar and asked who he was.   Some said Joe was my son and others said Joe was my husband.   Joe is young enough to be my son, so from then on he calls me mom and I call him son.

It will not be as likely to have such misunderstanding today as there are many from Asia attending the ARBA conventions.   Asia now has the most ARBA sanctioned shows outside the United States.  

   

Convention Memories - Old Friends Cheryl and Eric

Betty and Cheryl are old friends.     We have known each other for over 28 years before Cheryl became a judge.    At that time, there were very few Asians active in the rabbit shows, we were two of the "rare breeds".    We went toward different directions: I went into very active showing while Cheryl became a judge and then known for being the Chair of the extremely important ARBA Standards Committee from the early to late 2010s.     

Eric and Cheryl took judges' test in the same year and both were successful and became judges, that was 1995.  Eric became the ARBA executive director in 2009.     I am very honored to be sandwiched in between these two of the most respected breeders/judges.