This popular mutation is freely available throughout Australia today.
The definition of Pied is the alteration or disruption of the normal
colouration in random areas as opposed to the pattern alteration of
scalloping that is pearling. Pearling affects most of the body feathers.
A Pied bird might only have one toe-nail not appearing the usual colour
or perhaps one or two feathers a different colour.
Pied is an Autosomal Recessive mutation. That means that both parents
must carry Pied for a Pied baby to be produced. It is also thought to
be partially dominant as some birds that are split to Pied will show a
spot or some slight pied marking.
The ideal Pied should have around 75% yellow or white feathers and
the remaining 25% either light or dark grey or the colour of the
mutation. e.g. Cinnamon or Platinum.
Sexing Pieds is very hard by looks alone. Both Cocks and Hens look
the same and looking under the wings to check the dots is a waste of
time. Patience is the best advice in this case. Just watch the bird for
signs of what sex it is.