breeding black to splash = ???

[speckledhen]

To tell the difference between dark blue and black, the blacks have a green sheen in their feathers and are much more shiny than blues. That's the best I can come up with because I had a chick that I swear I could not tell which color it was for the longest time, black or blue.

 

[Chellester]

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Will this work with Silkies as well? Since they have the split feathers, would they still have the green sheen thing going like other chickens?

 

[speckledhen]

Dont know; Silkies are so NOT my thing, LOL. I honestly dont know about that, but I do think I remember someone telling me their black Silkie roo has alot of shine.

 

[Hope0491]

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Will this work with Silkies as well? Since they have the split feathers, would they still have the green sheen thing going like other chickens?

My black silkies don't have any shine.
My dark blue silkies however, look almost black.. the only way I can tell them apart from my black are if I lift their wings up.. they should have bluish looking feathers, that's always how I was able to tell.

~Lacey

 

[Blisschick]

Telling a black from a dark blue:

The shaft of the feather on a black chicken will be black.

The shaft of the feather on a dark blue chicken will be lighter than the feather color. Even thought the feather will appear black, the shaft will be a lighter charcoal color.

It is correct that black will have a green sheen (most common) or some other color (blue or purple) on it. Dark blue will be dull looking.

Is it possible that the Black hen is actually a dark Blue?

A couple of my dark blue laced wyandottes have black streaks in their tails. They're really hard to see, and I know they're there only because the black streaks have a sheen to them. It's very possible that your black chicken is really dark blue.​

 

[SisterFlash]

wow such cool info...thanks all

Speckled Hen...I know you knwo what you are doing and what are breding looks beautiful to me. I hope when I get my coop built that I will be able to order some eggs from you. I am all about the full figured hens. Oh and the fluffy butts on those chicks are to die for.

Most I was refering to why hatcheries selling blue cochins say you might get black blue or splash when they could breed for perfect blue.

My only experience comes from breeding horses and I do care about color more athletic ability and temperment but I know a bit about horse color genitics. I am hoping my mare who is ressessive chestnut and the stallion also ressesive chestnut produce a chestnut...but as long as it is a healthy foal that is all that really matters. My dream color is liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail but I am not breeding for color so what shows up is a suprise and fun.

So it is really fun to learn about all the chicken colors and breeds.

Barb

 

[wclawrence]

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The reason breeders of Blues breed Bl x Bl is that you can pick the ones with the best lacing to breed from. You cant see the lacing on a black bird, right? Nor on a Splash (they dont show it.) So You breed a well-laced Blue cock to a well-laced Blue hen, and alot of your Blues should be right. Then you sell the splashes and blacks to someone who is not so worried about the lacing but wants all blues to hatch.

 

[Blisschick]

Nor on a Splash (they dont show it.)

Some do. I have some splash birds that you can see the lacing on. Mind you, it's not desired in this breed, so it's helpful in determining who has it and makes it easier to breed it out.

This chick is about 8 weeks.

Again at 4 mos. You can't really see it now because it's really faint.

 

[SisterFlash]

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Some do. I have some splash birds that you can see the lacing on. Mind you, it's not desired in this breed, so it's helpful in determining who has it and makes it easier to breed it out.

What is wrong with the lacing on this BLRW? Looks really nice to me with teh bay and the blue. Is it the black line that is not desired?

thanks all for the education

Barb

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Thanks for the info all!! I don't have blacks, but a friend of mine does and we were both a bit confused about crossing which colors results in what.

Thanks for the color chart Melanie, I'm sure I'll be reffering to it quite often.

Blisschick...That is a beautiful bird!