pips&peeps
There is no "I" in Ameraucana
pips&peeps
Since this question was ignored would you be willing to advise here, Jean? Please? I'd also like to know what you think about it as well since I've heard conflicting advice previously... thank you...
I have never really studied the birds feather quality in depth and had a chance to compare lav to lav breeding as compared to split to lav breeding. I have continued to breed for the best body type first and that included breeding out to blacks in the beginning. So now I keep both splits and lavs in the same breeding pen. I think the answer to the feather issue is to keep breeding for the best type and best feather quality and eventually the tie in the genetics that brings the poor feather quality will eventually be broken.
I imagine I will put black back into the pen in the future, but for now I am leaving my pens the way they are. I had a black hen that went reserve of show a few years ago that was split to lavender.
I have asked old English breeders about the feather quality on the lavs and the issue with striping in the hackles on wheatens and they have told me it just takes time and lots of breeding only the best birds to get rid of these nuisance genes.
To combat feather issues with this variety, I have also made sure I do not overcrowd the grow out pen.