←The Bird on your Left is a Heavily Variegated Cinnamon
Avoiding the genetics and look at the outcomes rather than why. The Fife Canary is no different to any other Canary when it comes to cinnamon, and cinnamon does cause confusion even with the most experienced breeders. Cinnamon was first seen c.1709 and probably arose as a mutation in the gene producing melanin, which produces the dark pigment in feathers. Cinnamon is a sex-linked gene and can be passed on from either the hen or cock, to the young produced. All cinnamon chicks will be born with PINK eyes, however the eyes will become so dark as the bird gets older, that it is almost impossible to see in an adult bird. Cinnamon carrying Cocks however will have BLACK eyes. Cinnamon can be Clear and should not be confused with Cinnamon carrying Cocks. To identify Cinnamon birds I ring all pink-eyed birds on the left leg and normals on the right leg. Cinnamon is usually used by the experienced breeder, to improve feather quality, and or to reduce feather bulk.
The bird on the right is a LV Yellow Cinnamon. →
When pairing, type should be the first consideration because the use of cinnamon over time, without considering type will lead to loss of type and very fine-feathered birds. The following is a combination of pairs and the expected chicks produced. In the following pairings a green hen or cock represents a bird carrying no cinnamon, or cinnamon markings.
A COCK MUST BE ONE OF THREE THINGS
A HEN MUST BE ONE OF TWO THINGS
The Complete Book of Canaries by G T Dodwell
Our Border Canaries by W Cummings
Author: J Hart - Published 7/6/2009