Breeding Question??

[TheChad]

I found a rooster on craigslist that I need opinions if he would make nice babies with my orange buff's.
Please let me know what you think the babies would look like.

Thanks

Here is the link to the rooster.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/1596903646.html

 

[carriehelene]

From what I've read about the whole color thing, black is a dominant color, so I would think the chicks would come out black with maybe some buff mixed in there. I love orps, so I would probably go for it. Don't forget to isolate for a month

Carrie

 

[lildinkem]

I got mixed colored birds. One was a Roo with cream and blothes of charcoal color. And I got one that has Black feathers with a bunch of Red feathers. That one looks like a Blacks Coppers Marans cockerel. You should have a nice size bird.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I assume you mean your orange buff hens are Buff Orpingtons. There are different genetic ways to make buff and also blue. You can also not tell what recessive genes may be hiding in those birds. So I don't think anyone can tell you for sure what colors you would actually get.

In theory, I think the first generation should be either black or blue. That is just theory. Even without recessives I think there would be quite a bit of leakage so while they may mainly be blue or black, you would get some buff or golden feathers especially around the neck, but very possibly other places too. And with recessives, who knows. Cream with charcoal highlights is certainly not out of the question. Or a yellow-gold rooster with a blue tail.

I'd encourage you to get the rooster if you like your Orpingtons and want to reproduce. The first generation may not be all that remarkable in color, although some people think mainly black or blue chickens are quite attractive and I think you would get more of a variety than that. The next generation, if you cross the offspring from this match, would have the potential to be of many different colors and patterns.