Fallow

Fallow is an pleiotropic recessive gene in button quail, likely a form of incomplete albino. It causes the quail to be a light, pale tan across the body. It is pleiotropic, meaning it affects more aspects than just feather color-- in this case, it causes the chicks to start with a red eye that often fades into a light blue as the birds age (1) (7).

It is a very new mutation in the United States, a more research needs to be done to determine the inheritance. It is suspected to be autosomal (1)(2), but some breeders believe it is on the INO locus (8), which is responsible for sex-linked impartial albino genes like cinnamon in Coturnix quail (9) and a "ghost pattern" in Budgerigar (6). Whether this is the same gene as cinnamon in Coturnix is yet to be determined.

It is entirely different than the cinnamon that is found in button quail. Though both genes create a light colored, tan bird, fallow males will have a brighter, more prominent orange breast whereas cinnamon males stay a deeper red (1). Hens of both mutations will be similar colors, though the red eyes separate out the fallows as chicks (1).

The gene also is associated with a slow growth rate, low fertility, and vision issues (1)(3). The more red the eye, the more the vision is impaired (1) (4). However, there are stable lines in the United States and abroad (1), proving that Fallow buttons can be healthy and weakness can be bred out slowly.

*Special thanks to Cynthia Nupnau with Cynthia's Quail for providing the reference pictures.

Inheritance is unconfirmed, likely due to poor hatch rates and general issues. If it is autosomal recessive, breeding will look similar to this:

Fallow x Fallow = 100% Fallow

Fallow x Wildtype = 100% Fallow Carriers

Fallow x Fallow Carrier = 50% Fallow, 50% Fallow Carrier

Fallow Carrier x Fallow Carrier = 25% Fallow, 50% Fallow Carrier, 25% Wildtype

Fallow Carrier x Wildtype = 50% Fallow Carrier, 50% Wildtype

If the gene is actually sex-linked recessive, breeding patterns will look similar to this:

Fallow Male x Fallow Female = 100% Fallow chicks

Fallow Male x Clean Female = Fallow females, het. Fallow males

Clean Male x Fallow Female = 100% clean female chicks, 100% het. Fallow male chicks

Het. Fallow male x Fallow Female = 50% Fallow female chicks, 50% clean female chicks, 50% het. Fallow male chicks, 50% Fallow male chicks

Het. Fallow male x Clean Female = 50% clean female chicks, 50% Fallow female chicks, 50% het. Fallow male chicks, 50% clean male chicks.

Note: it is impossible to have a heterozygous female chick, as females can only have one Z chromosome, and the "pair" or the W chromosome is short, meaning it forces the recessive mutation to show even with only one copy. This is called Hemizygous. Refer to the genetics series if you would like to read more.