My new baby silkies!! 9 week update post #47 - critique please! :) - Page 2

haha what you guys dont know is we are on the phone talking while I wrote that!!!

I think they are adorable. Whatever color they turn out to be, just too cute.  Congrats.  May I ask who the breeder is. I would love to get some for my neices.

K.

If your unhappy with them, I'll be happy to take them off your hands.... shall I give you my address?

AS I UNDERSTAND IT...

Black is a dominant gene that can "cover" other stuff, and depending on what his black breeders are "covering" can determine a lot of how your chicks look.

For instance, when I bred my lavender roo to my black hens I got some fully black chicks, but then I got some "mutts." The mutts suggested that some of the hens were carrying a dominant black gene and appeared black, but were carrying something else under the black. The chicks that hatched fully black suggested that the hens were black covering black.

I hope that makes sense....

The only way I can understand it is to use the paint analogy, which is probably not a good thing since I always say that breeding chickens is not like mixing paint, but.....

A black layer of paint over an already black wall will appear more black, than a black layer of paint over a white wall.... Does that kinda make sense.

And then there is the off chance that I have NO idea what I am talking about, but this is as I understand it....

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

OK... that made me feel better Chris... cuz I know you know quality.   No, if they truly are blues, they'll be a terrific improvement to my blue flock.   The disappointment is only in the color, not the conformation.

Like I told you, they are not a complete detriment. Dark blues have their place as they help add color to the underfluff of a splash. The genetics are there for good blacks you just have to strategically plan your breedings and cull cull cull, to concentrate your genes.


And I KNOW quality, that doesn't mean I necessarily have it, or can always AFFORD it..... but I do have the determination to do great things with my Silkies, even if I have to start with less than superior birds. I'm sure a lot of people WONT share my passion, but when your as determined as I am, a little thing like an off colored bird doesn't stop you. Heck, a 4 toed DQ'd bird wont stop me! Its all about the goal, not how you get there...