Black silkies

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Thanks Sonoran! I don't know anything with genetics, only what I see with my own eyes. I really like my blacks though, and usually place well with them. Currently I am trying to get around a few of Aimee's. She is really tough to beat.

 

[rilly10]

Quote:

 

[rilly10]

Quote:
Beautiful birds! You are doing such a great job with you flocks!

 

[FrenchToast]

ok got a question for all of you black silkie eggsperts !!

I have several roosters that I was not sure were either a very dark blue or black. They do have that green/purple sheen in their tail. Would that make them black then? Because I don't think blue would have that right?

Thanks

 

[Northwood Silkies]

Quote:
Hmm I thought Black x Black = 100% Black ? How would a Partridge come out of that?? Interesting...

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

Quote:
Beautiful birds! You are doing such a great job with you flocks!

Rilly I just now saw this thank you. I hope you and the baby are well.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
You should be able to take your hand and pull the feathers up and look at the feathers underneath. If they are blue then you have a dark blue silkies. I do not think that blues have a green sheen at all, or at least none that I have ever had.

 

[robin416]

Quote:
You should be able to take your hand and pull the feathers up and look at the feathers underneath. If they are blue then you have a dark blue silkies. I do not think that blues have a green sheen at all, or at least none that I have ever had.

I had one, he was so dark blue he had the green sheen. Pulling back the feathers exposed the blue.

 

[destiny_56085]

Quote:
Hmm I thought Black x Black = 100% Black ? How would a Partridge come out of that?? Interesting...

There are several types of blacks in silkies, all of which are determined by the E gene.
The alleles (variations) in order of dominance are:
1. E (extended black) - applies to most of black birds; needs least amount of help from other genes/melanizers to make a black bird
2. E^R (birchen) - needs help from black extenders to make a black bird; creates a bird with pheomelanin on the head, hackles, shoulder, saddle and breast feathers; birchen-based birds do not have pheomelanin on their secondaries (wing triangle)
3. E^Wh (wheaten) - dominance can vary and behave as a recessive under certain circumstances
4. e+ (wild-type)
5. e^b (brown or partridge)


So yes you can get some partridge cropouts if they are e^b based.

 

[destiny_56085]

The new aviary is finally done.... Just transferred all my birds over from my smaller one and fixing that up for now. Took roll call as I was moving them: 4 diamond doves, 11 button quail, 7 canaries, 2 spice finches, 9 society finches, 9 zebra finches, 3 weavers, 1 long tailed grass finch, and 3 cutthroats. Its in the laundry room downstairs....