Blue silkie with leakage?

[Squeak61]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to ask about silkie coloration real quick. My silkie rooster is blue with gold leakage on his neck. Is this a negative quality? I'm not sure how the leakage affects genetics, as I was hoping to breed him.

 

[Sneebsey]

The leakage likely indicates that he is impure for extended black on his e locus. If bred to a hen pure for extended black, half their offspring would have leakage, but half would be pure. It may be difficult to see the difference in some, particularly his daughters, depending on which e-series he is hiding.

 

[BlueBaby]

I think that you are going to get that in many that you get, as it seem's that many of the people who are breeding those are keeping all of the colors in the same pen.

 

[Squeak61]

The leakage likely indicates that he is impure for extended black on his e locus. If bred to a hen pure for extended black, half their offspring would have leakage, but half would be pure. It may be difficult to see the difference in some, particularly his daughters, depending on which e-series he is hiding.

Ok, that makes sense. So leakage is a negative trait?

 

[Squeak61]

I think that you are going to get that in many that you get, as it seem's that many of the people who are breeding those are keeping all of the colors in the same pen.

That makes sense. Would leakage inhibit any of his offspring from being showable?

 

[The Moonshiner]

The leakage likely indicates that he is impure for extended black on his e locus. If bred to a hen pure for extended black, half their offspring would have leakage, but half would be pure. It may be difficult to see the difference in some, particularly his daughters, depending on which e-series he is hiding.

Agree with this.

Ok, that makes sense. So leakage is a negative trait?

Yes it is. A very common one that is better to not breed at all rather than try to breed out.

That makes sense. Would leakage inhibit any of his offspring from being showable?

It would inhibit any of them doing well.

 

[Sneebsey]

Half of his offspring may turn out pure for extended black, though a good black requires additional melanisers to maintain a glossy black with full coverage. The fact that he is blue complicates things, as a good blue usually requires lacing genes which he may or may not have, though I'm unsure if this trait is required with silkies.

Some of his offspring may turn out showable, but you will have to watch for any leakage, and as it is hard to spot in many hens, you may find yourself getting leakage years from now.

 

[Squeak61]

Agree with this.

Yes it is. A very common one that is better to not breed at all rather than try to breed out.

It would inhibit any of them doing well.

Great info, thank you!

 

[Squeak61]

Half of his offspring may turn out pure for extended black, though a good black requires additional melanisers to maintain a glossy black with full coverage. The fact that he is blue complicates things, as a good blue usually requires lacing genes which he may or may not have, though I'm unsure if this trait is required with silkies.

Some of his offspring may turn out showable, but you will have to watch for any leakage, and as it is hard to spot in many hens, you may find yourself getting leakage years from now.

Thank you for the information!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Half of his offspring may turn out pure for extended black, though a good black requires additional melanisers to maintain a glossy black with full coverage. The fact that he is blue complicates things, as a good blue usually requires lacing genes which he may or may not have, though I'm unsure if this trait is required with silkies.

Some of his offspring may turn out showable, but you will have to watch for any leakage, and as it is hard to spot in many hens, you may find yourself getting leakage years from now.

Agree.
Thats what it comes down to. About 1/2 the chicks could work out and about 1/2 won't.
If you have no other options then 1/2 don't sound so bad. But you know off the bat that 1/2 aren't going to work and out of the other 1/2 you're going to have to watch for leakage and have chances some might sneak through and continue passing it forward for a looong time. Kinda makes for headaches.
If at all possible to find a better rooster then it would be worth it. Less headaches and more percentage of workable offspring.