Isabel Brahmas

What is Isabel?

Isabel is lavender double-pencilled partridge (often written as “Isabel double pencilled partridge”). It arises when a correctly patterned partridge base is combined with the recessive lav/lav gene. Lavender dilutes black to lavender-grey and red or gold to cream, so hens show a clear double pencilling on a pale ground.

Isabel is rare and in high demand, but it is typically not formally recognized in European standards and is often shown in AOC classes.
In the UK and USA it is also usually unstandardized, though actively bred by enthusiasts.

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Isabel – genetic combination

Partridge double penciled → add lavender → Isabel

Step 1 – Partridge base
Correct groundwork for double penciling:
e⁺ (wild type) Pg Ml Db

Avoid extended black E/E – it masks penciling.

Step 2 – Add lavender
Recessive diluter – both alleles required:
lav/lav
  • Black → lavender-grey
  • Red or gold → cream
Step 3 – Result: Isabel
Lavender double-penciled partridge – the correct hen expression:
  • Two clear arcs per feather (double penciled)
  • Cream ground with lavender-grey bands

Crosses – lavender path

Isabel – Isabel → 100% Isabel (lav/lav)
Isabel – Partridge (double penciled) → 100% carriers lav/+ – look partridge
Carrier lav/+ – Carrier lav/+ → 25% Isabel 50% carriers lav/+ 25% partridge without lavender
Partridge (double penciled) Isabel lav/lav
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