Bob what Turbo and I are referring to is actually a thin outer white pencil marking on the breast feathers. Much like the outer edges of a LT Brahma Hackle feather. In other words the burgundy or whatever the right color name is for the breast feathers on the male gray would have a thin white edge on them or be mottled. Go to the link below see pages 140 to 145 on page 142 there is a good picture of a Dark Brahma with the breast markings for a hen line it would be worthless in a show but great as a breeder. This white is really referred to as excess penciling in the male bird. It is a gene thin used to set or enhance the penciling in the hens. Remember the hen sets type and the cock sets color, I think this is true in ducks also but like I said in a previous post I am a chicken guy. I really do not think the off color in the rear end will help you butt I could be wrong. Underwood may know. Penciled anything is a new ball game. There are more recessive genes at play that need attention in varying ways.
Wynette You should not have to double mate the Langshans. They are general line bred or it is also referred to as standard mating.
I suggest reading the first few chapters of the book below and then search for Langshan in the book search box the main chapter for Langshan starts on page 151.
When breeding birds there are generally three ways to go.
1) Line breeding
2) double mating (usually used in party colored birds)
3) Pen breeding
For details on the principles of each see
http://books.google.com/books?id=Wf...m=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
Note: pen breeding is simply putting good type birds together and hoping for a few really good ones. In my opinion trio or quad breeding is a scaled down version of pen breeding. Most pen breeders will use 10 to 20 hens with 2 to 4 cock birds in a pen depending on pen size. I do not remember if the book above explains pen breeding. I haven't read the first few chapters in a long time. You will have to read it and find out.
Good luck with the birds
Charlie
Wynette You should not have to double mate the Langshans. They are general line bred or it is also referred to as standard mating.
I suggest reading the first few chapters of the book below and then search for Langshan in the book search box the main chapter for Langshan starts on page 151.
When breeding birds there are generally three ways to go.
1) Line breeding
2) double mating (usually used in party colored birds)
3) Pen breeding
For details on the principles of each see
http://books.google.com/books?id=Wf...m=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
Note: pen breeding is simply putting good type birds together and hoping for a few really good ones. In my opinion trio or quad breeding is a scaled down version of pen breeding. Most pen breeders will use 10 to 20 hens with 2 to 4 cock birds in a pen depending on pen size. I do not remember if the book above explains pen breeding. I haven't read the first few chapters in a long time. You will have to read it and find out.
Good luck with the birds
Charlie
Last edited: