Breeding lavender orpington with mixed breed hens?

[Laura12499]

Genetically the bird is Black. So the chicks will be black. You might get some leakage, but if you want colored birds, try adding a Blue or Splash cockerel into the breeding program.

Isn’t blue just a dilution of black as well?

 

[ColtHandorf]

Isn’t blue just a dilution of black as well?

Yes, but the birds only require one copy of the gene in order to be blue. Lavender requires two copies to express. Splash requires two as well. Therefore crossing a Splash onto Black birds result in 100% Blue chicks. Blue over Black would result in both Black and Blue chicks.