color question about blue gene

[TwoChicks]

I have a blue and a black orpington that have same parents. These are new chicks to me and the lady that gave them to me said they were both blue. One is obviously black, and the other is def blue. Now, do you call offspring from blue parents 'blue' or is it just a black orp with blue genes? Will it carry a blue gene? I'm attaching pics of them for color comparison in case the black one really is a very dark blue. Don't think so, but you never know ...

This is my very first question about color genetics, so pardon my lack of knowledge.

The black orp in middle of my salmon faverolles

The blue orp (without the diaper) showing her business end

 

[call ducks]

half of the chicks that would come fro this crossing would be black the other half would be blue. blue is not a recessive gene so only the chicks that are blue will have the blue gene.

 

[TwoChicks]

So a blue hen and blue roo won't necessarily breed all blue chicks? A black chick from two blue parents is still a "black orpington" right?

Do all orps have blue recessive genes?

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
Blue X Blue will result is 50% blue chicks 25% black chicks 25% splash

Quote:
no. and blue is not a recessive gene. it simples dilutes black to blue.

 

[Henk69]

blue is a dominant gene, to be precise "incomplete dominant" because 2 copies make a lighter (splash) bird. But 1 copy already has a big visible effect, in this case also the desired effect.
Recessive is the opposite, you need 2 copies for it to show, for example lavender.