The BIGGEST MISTAKE newbies make is wanting just lavender birds and requesting only the lavender chicks. What a HUGE mistake. How can you improve them when you can really see what they are lacking because of the color. Another mistake is just buying from one breeder. Breeding brother and sister will only exacerbate any issues the birds have. The only time you breed siblings is when you are trying to SET a trait in a breed and you don't do that for long.Ooh, I think you're right. I'm confusing blue genetics with lavender genetics. Thank you for correcting me @DMRippy ! Your comments are feather quality are absolutely correct. I've been culling HARD to correct poor feather quality in my flock.