Description:
In homozygous form, Lavender will appear any range of grey, with the main pattern showing through. Reddish tones around the neck are also common, but not required. It tends to have more base pattern and color than hetero silver would when on a Pharaoh background, and also doesn't have white wingtips unless it has white winged pied or tuxedo dilutions over it. Because Lavender is recessive, you will not see it in heterozygous form.
Lavender also has been found (in laboratory conditions) to have a slightly higher increase in feed intake and lower overall body temperature and weight when compared to pharaoh under the same conditions, but this likely isn't noticeable in backyard conditions but suggests that the Lavender mutation affects the metabolism of quail as well as feather color.
It is unknown how prominent Lavender is as a whole in the United States, or in other countries across the world. It has been reported to be mixed into the SSC collection, though it is not isolated and there are no "true" Lavender lines being publically sold in the US. A majority of grey birds are actually heterozygous Silver and Andalusian instead of lavender.
Lavender can look nearly identical to the Andalusian, silver, and Blau mutations, as all three have a wide range of grey colors. All three are also mixed in the Schofield Silver Collection bloodline. The best way to tell them apart is by their genetic background and their offspring.
Lavender x Lavender = 100% Lavender
Lavender x No Lavender = 100% Lav Carriers
Lavender x Carrier = 50% Lavender, 50% Carriers
Carrier x Carrier = 25% Lavender, 50% Carrier, 25% No Lavender
Carrier x No Lavender = 50% Carrier, 50% No Lavender
References & Further Reading
Minvielle, Francis & Gourichon, David & Monvoisin, Jean. (2003). Effects of Two-Locus Combinations, Using the Roux, Lavender, and Beige Mutations, on Plumage Color of Japanese Quail. The Journal of heredity. 94. 517-22. 10.1093/jhered/esg091.
Minvielle F, Gourichon D, and Monvoisin JL, 2002. Testing homology ofloci for two plumage colors, lavender and recessive white, with chicken andJapanese quail hybrids. J Hered 93:73–76
(11) (PDF) Effects of Two-Locus Combinations, Using the Roux, Lavender, and Beige Mutations, on Plumage Color of Japanese Quail. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8946340_Effects_of_Two-Locus_Combinations_Using_the_Roux_Lavender_and_Beige_Mutations_on_Plumage_Color_of_Japanese_Quail [accessed May 22 2024].
Homma, Kazutaka, Hirovuki Oki, and Gen Watanabe. "A plumage color mutation in Japanese quail associated with female specific sterility due to oviduct dysfunction." Japanese Journal of Animal Reproduction 31 (1985): 84-89.
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