Breeding back Olive Egger Hens

[Nigel27]

i think that there are a few people who have bred green layers that breed true (carry two copies of blue gene) like Whiting True Green and Silverrud Isbar. There is a genetic formula for how to create this over many generations

these would be so fun to play with!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I think this chart shows how to get the darker Olive color but doesn’t show the possibility that the F1 oliveegger crossed back to dark brown layer can produced brown eggs.

You are correct, I was trying to demostrate visually the spearment layer (F1 olive egger to blue egg layer) idea.
It is a 50/50 chance to get dark brown layers instead of darker olive from an F1 to BCM or other dark brown layer.

 

[DarJones]

That chart is extremely misleading. The reason is because a blue egg laying hen is homozygous (has 2 paired copies) of a gene for white eggs and at least one copy of the gene for blue eggs (blue is dominant). This combination produces sky blue eggs. I don't differentiate in variations of green/brown eggs. Whether they are green, pale green, chartreuse green, spearmint green, or greenish tan, the genetics at the base are all the same because the porphyrin biopath is turned on. From that point, varying numbers of genes for blue, white, and porphyrin duration determine the final egg color.

 

[PepsiCatt]

i think 50% DSL and 50% olive egger

 

[Nini ve]

The process that makes eggs blue, and the one that results in brown eggs is not the same. Green eggs are the result of blue tinted shells with a brown overlay, so it isn't necessarily 50/50. Both genes are dominant. If the blue gene carrying rooster ist homozygote, then all his babys will have the blue gene, so all his little ones will be olive eggers if crossed with maran. This olive egger crossed back to maran will give f2 olive. And back to cream legbar will give dull spearmint. But if the rooster is heterozygote, and carrys only one blue gene, descendents will be 50/50

 

[peytonefrench]

You get what is called a dull spearment layer. This chart has been posted multiple times on BYC, including me. Nice visual but does not explain the exact genetics. View attachment 2503111

Is an olive + olive just an Easter egger?

 

[TexasBlues]

If it is an olive egger f1 x f1 olive egger,
then 50% should be olive/green and 50% should be be brown.

Is an olive + olive just an Easter egger?