Mottled Java chickens have black and white mottled feathers that look aesthetic. All mottled breeds are almost prolific layers with friendly and docile personalities.
Mottled chickens have a recessive gene, meaning they need two mo genes to show the mottling pattern. Their feathers have a speckled look, which can appear in different colors and patterns.
In this article, we discussed everything related to Mottled Chickens, from understanding the mottling pattern to how to create mottled chickens.
Let’s get started.
What is a Mottled Chicken?
What is the mottled meaning? “Mottled” means having a surface marked with spots of different colours or shades. It describes an irregular pattern of spots.
Mottled Chicken Feathers have random white spots on the tips, usually black but sometimes other colours. The pattern always looks the same because it’s homozygous and recessive. It’s a restrictor.
Mottled means there are single white feathers spread over a solid colour. The cool thing about mottling is that it can appear in any colour, like black, blue, buff, red, partridge, or lacing.
The mottling gene is recessive, meaning a chicken needs two genes (mo) to show the mottling pattern. If you cross a mottled chicken with a chicken that doesn’t have the gene, the chicks won’t show mottling but will carry the gene.
Origins and History of Mottled Chicken
The history of mottled chickens varies with their looks. “Mottled” means having a speckled or spotted pattern on their feathers.
The mottled pattern comes in many colours and patterns, and it isn’t found just in one breed but in many other breeds; each has its own story.
Mottled Java chickens are one of the most well-known mottled breeds, originating in the United States in the early 19th century.
Although the breed was popular initially, its numbers decreased in the 20th century. However, thanks to the dedication of breeders and conservation programs, it has come back.
Another well-known mottled breed is the mottled Ancona from Italy. It came to England in the late 1800s and became popular because of its hardiness and productivity.
So mottled is a pattern that many chickens have, and many chickens can be mottled, like mottled houdan, mottled java, mottled cochin, etc. Each has its own story and history.
Mottled Chicken Price
Depending on the hatcheries and supplier, mottled chicks typically cost $5 to $10 each. Minimum order quantities may also apply.
For exact prices and costs, you can visit local hatcheries or find out their prices on online hatcheries.
Some hatcheries that sell mottled chicken are cacklehatchery, mypetchicken, hilltopfarmspoultry, backyardchickies, etc.
Mottled Chicken Breeding Chart
Any colour or pattern of chicken can be mottled if they have two mottled genes (homozygous). Even white chickens can be blotchy, though the spots may not show much. Tolbunts are laced or have other patterns in addition to mottling.
The genetics apply to all mottled patterns. Here is a breeding chart of mottled chicken:
Mottled to Mottled
- 100% Mottled Offspring
- 0% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 0% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Mottled to Carrier
- 50% Mottled Offspring
- 50% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 0% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Mottled to Non-Carrier
- 0% Mottled Offspring
- 100% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 0% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Carrier to Carrier
- 25% Mottled Offspring
- 50% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 25% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Carrier to Non-Carrier
- 0% Mottled Offspring
- 50% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 50% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Non-Carrier to Non-Carrier
- 0% Mottled Offspring
- 0% Non-Mottled Offspring, carriers
- 100% Non-Mottled Offspring, non-carriers
Mottled means a chicken with white spots on its feathers due to having two mottled genes.
A carrier is a chicken with one mottled gene and one non-mottled gene. It doesn’t show the mottled pattern but can pass the mottled gene to its offspring.
Non-carrier means a chicken with no mottled genes. It has no mottled pattern and cannot pass the mottled gene to its offspring.
Mottled Chicken Breeds
Many chicken breeds, such as Mottled Anconas, Houdans, Mottled Javas, and Mottled Orpingtons, have adopted the mottling pattern.
Any chicken pattern can be mottled; they need two copies of the mottled gene (homozygotes).
Even white chickens, which will barely show the mottle, can be blotchy and bred that way. Talbots have laced or sometimes other patterns, plus mottles.
Below are some of the beautiful and friendly mottled chicken breeds:
Mottled Java Chicken
- Origin: United States
- Appearance: Black feathers with white tips give a speckled appearance
- Egg Production: Lay 150-180 large tinted-to-dark brown eggs a year
- Temperament: Calm and friendly
Mottled Houdan Chicken
- Origin: France
- Appearance: Black and white mottled plumage with a distinctive crest and beard
- Egg Production: Lay approximately 180 -240 medium white eggs a year
- Temperament: Docile and friendly
Mottled Ancona Chicken
- Origin: Italy
- Appearance: Black feathers with white tips give a speckled look
- Egg Production: Lay white eggs, an average of 220 per year
- Temperament: Active and hardy
Speckled Sussex Chicken
- Origin: England
- Appearance: Rich mahogany plumage with white speckles.
- Egg Production: Lay between 200-250 light brown eggs per year
- Temperament: Friendly and curious
Mottled Cochin Chicken
- Origin: China
- Appearance: Black feathers with white tips, abundant feathering on legs and feet.
- Egg Production: Lay about 150 brown eggs per year
- Temperament: Gentle and docile
Other mottled chicken breeds include the Mottled Leghorn, Silkie, Brahma, D’uccle, Orpington, and Ranger.
Care and Management for Mottled Chicken
Raising mottled chickens needs special care and management to keep them healthy and happy. Here are some essential things to remember:
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Housing for Mottled Chicken
Mottled chickens must have a secure and comfortable coop with ample space for roosting and nesting. Like all chickens, they need protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Provide a well-built, ventilated, and safe from-predators chicken coop to live safely and comfortably.
You should give each chicken at least 2 to 3 square feet of space in the coop and about 8 to 10 square feet outside for moving and exploring.
Try to clean and dry the coop at least twice or thrice a week and dry it after wetting it.
Nesting boxes filled with clean and soft straws should be provided for laying eggs, which should be collected daily to prevent wasting and dirtiness.
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Health Care for Mottled Chicken
Regularly checking for signs of illness and injuries and seeking advice from a veterinarian will help maintain their health and well-being.
Provide needed vaccinations and deworming as the veterinarian recommends, and keep their surroundings and coop clean to prevent microorganisms and infections.
Make sure to give your mottled bird a chicken friend so they don’t feel lonely and to prevent any mental issues.
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Diet for Mottled Chicken
To meet all their nutritional requirements, provide high-quality poultry feed supplemented with fresh greens, grains, and occasional treats. Access to clean, fresh water is crucial.
Adding fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats to their diet to keep them happy and active.
Avoid harmful foods like chocolate, avocado skin or pit, coffee or tea, apple seeds, raw potatoes, green potatoes, onions, garlic, or raw eggs.
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Daily Care for Mottled Chicken
Regular maintenance is essential to keeping your mottled chickens healthy, happy, and gorgeous.
Trim any stray and unnecessary feathers and nails to prevent them from becoming overgrown, which could cause mobility and vision problems.
Provide clean and dry soil in their surroundings for dust baths. Dust baths help regulate oil production and keep their feathers healthy.
Winding Up
Mottled chickens have a recessive gene, meaning they have two genes (mo) to show the mottling pattern. Their feathers have a speckled or spotted pattern, which can appear in various colours and patterns.
Mottled chickens can be found in many different breeds. Some popular mottled breeds include the Mottled Ancona from Italy, the Mottled Houdan from the United States, the Mottled Java from Italy, and the Mottled Orpingtons.
You can find them in local hatcheries or online and get them to add to your backyard or flock.
Lastly, if you have any questions or thoughts about this, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. We would love to help you.
FAQs
How to create a mottled chicken?
Any chicken can be mottled; they need two mottled genes, meaning they are homozygous.
Mottling is a hidden trait, so both parents need to have the mottling gene, called the mo gene, to produce mottled chicks
Some chicken breeds are known for their mottled varieties and are perfect for breeding to create mottled chicks, like the Mottled Java, Mottled Houdan, Mottled Ancona, and Mottled Orpington.
For example, mating Mottled to Mottled can give you 100% mottled chicks.
Is mottled java chicken broody?
Mottled Java chickens usually go broody less than some other breeds. They might occasionally, but it’s not common for them.
What is the mottled feather pattern?
Mottled chicken feathers have random white spots on the tips. The pattern always looks the same because it’s a recessive trait.
Mottling means single white feathers spread over a solid colour. The cool thing is that mottling can appear in any colour, such as black, blue, buff, red, partridge, or lacing.
What colour eggs do mottled javas lay?
Mottled java chickens Lay 150-180 large tinted-to-dark brown eggs a year.