Breeding silkies

[melinda342]

Stupid question here: I'm looking into breeding my silkies. Does it matter if the black breed with the white? How do the genetics work with the colors?

Thanks

 

[3riverschick]

Stupid question here: I'm looking into breeding my silkies. Does it matter if the black breed with the white? How do the genetics work with the colors?

Thanks

Hi Melinda,
I found this book such a wonderful help. http://www.chickencolours.com Concise and easy to understand. Plus the back half of the book is pictorial encyclopedia of chicken color patterns. The pics are captioned with the genetic formula for each color. It's a wonderful book and well worth the price. One you understand how to describe colors in "genetic formula" lingo ( just takes practice, smile) then you can accurately describe and get counsel for all your color breeding projects from the many experts on BYC. Because the "genetic formula" lingo exactly describes the colors you want to discuss. For now, you want to look up "nicalandia" on BYC. That's Marvin and he is a human genetic calculator. He can answer your color questions until you get the book and can figure them out for yourself. ( and yes, the author (chickencolours) above has also written a book on "Silkies and Silkie Bantams".)
Meanwhile, check out this BYC thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/690632/silkie-breeding-genetics-showing


Best Regards,
Karen

 

[Brandonbeth]

Is this silkie show quality