Anyone know more of the Genetics behind these Buff Silkie chicks?

[realenthusiast]

I have a pair of breeder birds I'm using to help start my own exhibition flock of Buff Silkies, and Ive gotten some odd looking chicks off of them. I completely understand that Buff is more of an ongoing project variety, and doesn't always give consistent results, but if anyone can explain the genetics behind what I'm seeing I would really appreciate it.

These are the parents:



These are the chicks in question:



I expected varying degrees of smut, but never full on chipmunk stripes.

 

[Amer]

A lot of the gold enhancing genes in buffs are dominant so if their parents were carrying the recessive genes for more melanin, it makes sense that they would produce these chicks.

 

[realenthusiast]

A lot of the gold enhancing genes in buffs are dominant so if their parents were carrying the recessive genes for more melanin, it makes sense that they would produce these chicks.

So I can assume that both parents are carrying recessive genes for more melanin?

 

[Amer]

So I can assume that both parents are carrying recessive genes for more melanin?

Yes

 

[realenthusiast]

Yes

So since these genes are recessive, they should also produce chicks that inherit no melanin enhancing genes, as well as recessive carriers correct?

 

[Amer]

So since these genes are recessive, they should also produce chicks that inherit no melanin enhancing genes, as well as recessive carriers correct?

It's hard to say, but I imagine their chicks would be darker like them and they would not produce fully buff offspring if bred together (if they are a pair.)

 

[realenthusiast]

It's hard to say, but I imagine their chicks would be darker like them and they would not produce fully buff offspring if bred together (if they are a pair.)

The boy I have is definitely a darker buff, and yes they are a pair. Ive hatched out Id say around 2 dozen of their eggs and there is a ton of variation in their chicks down. Only 2 of these striped chicks though. They have produced some solid buff (looking) chicks with a cream base. I know I can't judge off of chick down, but it is definitely an early indicator of something.

This is one of the best looking


A good amount come out with this gray base:



And all of them come from the same 2 parents.
Here's a slightly older chick from them, some of them are looking pretty good so not disappointed. Just trying to figure out what I should be looking for early.

If there is anything at all anyone can tell me about Buff genetics that would be helpful, I would greatly appreciate it! I hope some of this info helps

 

[Amer]

The boy I have is definitely a darker buff, and yes they are a pair. Ive hatched out Id say around 2 dozen of their eggs and there is a ton of variation in their chicks down. Only 2 of these striped chicks though. They have produced some solid buff (looking) chicks with a cream base. I know I can't judge off of chick down, but it is definitely an early indicator of something.

This is one of the best looking
View attachment 4261993View attachment 4261994

A good amount come out with this gray base:

View attachment 4261995View attachment 4261996

And all of them come from the same 2 parents.View attachment 4261997
Here's a slightly older chick from them, some of them are looking pretty good so not disappointed. Just trying to figure out what I should be looking for early.

If there is anything at all anyone can tell me about Buff genetics that would be helpful, I would greatly appreciate it! I hope some of this info helps

Buff genetics aren't very well understood, it's a lot of pheomelanin enhancers together on a wheaten base.
I think the grey backs reminds me of columbian color down so you might get some more color on that too.