DNA Testing – Dominant White, Smoky & Dun Genes

$25.00

Determine if your birds carry the Dominant White, Smoky, or Dun gene!

This test detects mutations in the PMEL17 gene responsible for Dominant White, Smoky, and Dun color variations in chickens.
All three alleles are run together in a single multiplex PCR reaction, giving you a full I-locus profile with one sample.

What It Reports:

Dominant White (I): 9-bp insertion in exon 10
Smoky (Iᴿ): 9-bp insertion + 12-bp deletion in exon 6
Dun (Iᴰ): 15-bp deletion in exon 10
Wild Type (i): no PMEL17 mutation detected

*Please do not choose this option for Silkies who do not yet have real feathers. This does not work with chick down. Please use blood spots on coffee filters for silkies that aren’t old enough to have real feathers yet.

Science Note: Smoky, Dominant White, and Dun are all versions of the same PMEL17 gene. While Dominant White blocks nearly all black pigment, Smoky carries that same mutation plus a small deletion that partially restores pigment production. The result is that Smoky on a black background produces a deep dark blue or slate color instead of white. Dun, by contrast, creates a softer chocolate-gray dilution.