Breeding

[Cdanley03]

Here's a thread with some suggestions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-genetics.1520369/

In chickens, there are some genes that affect how the color is distributed (laced, spangled, columbian, black breasted red, etc.) Some of those genes interact with each other to make different effects, too.

And there are some other genes that affect the individual colors (black can become blue, gold can become red or cream, etc.)

And there are some genes that override everything else (examples: white bars across any color of feathers, or turn the whole chicken white.)

It's either an interesting puzzle, or a confusing mess, depending on whether you like that kind of thing

I don't know why but the more I research the harder it is lol

 

[Chicken poppy]

I don't know why but the more I research the harder it is lol

It can often get confusing, take a break every now and then

 

[NatJ]

i wanted to try my hand at blue laced red but from what i have read it is so hard to get that color. I am just confused what kind of hen and what kind of rooster you need for it?

It would be easiest if you start by getting a Blue Laced Red or Splash Laced Red.

You need the blue gene (a chicken that shows blue or splash)
You need the lacing (caused by a combination of genes-- easiest to just stick with laced birds.)

And you need the red. Red and gold are the same basic color (not-black, not-white), but there are various modifiers genes that are not fully understood that affect whether you actually see red or gold.

If you can get one blue laced red or splash laced red, you may be able to interbreed it with your gold laced birds, and select for the correct dark shade of red. Doing that will produce blue laced golds and maybe splash laced golds as well.