Blue Black Splash History

[danameisdana]

I understand blue/black/splash inheritance, but I've noticed it is available in so many breeds. How did this happen? Does the dilution gene just pop up that frequently, or is it crossed in at some point? If so, what breed was the first source of the Blue/black/splash coloration, and what breed do people usually use to put it into a variety? Specifically I'm interested in what Martin Silverudd used to introduce it into the Silverudd's blue chickens. Thank you.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Andalusion

 

[AinaWGSD]

It's possible as many chickens are bred that BBS could have occurred naturally in more than one breed. But as far as I know, the Andalusian
were the first breed that mutation occurred in. According to the Wikipedia article, it was first intentionally selected for in the 1850's.

Most breeds that are available in blue had it introduced through planned outcrossing. In the 1800's that cross was probably using Andalusions, but more recent introductions of the blue gene would be made using a breed where blue has already been established that has many similar breed traits. It wouldn't make much sense to use a light, clean legged, single combed Mediterranean breed like the Andalusian to introduce the blue gene to a heavy dual purpose, feather legged, pea combed breed like a brahma for example. Yeah, you could do it but it would take many more generations than if you used another heavy feather legged breed.