Confused about Self Blue gene

[Criskin]

I hatched out a few eggs from my Speckled Sussex roosters over my Lavender Orpington hens. While most of the chicks are black as I expected, one is actually a Lavender. I'm confused because I thought that the Lav gene was recessive and could only showed up if both parents had a copy. I only have the two roosters, both SS, so there is no chance of cross contamination.  Did I miss something? I know chicken genetics are a lot more complicated than mammalian. I'm hoping someone more educated in the matter (which I'll admit is probably almost everyone on the board) can explain it. 

 

[CGinJCMO]

Be interested in reading the answer too. just bought a "Self Blue D'uccle" pullet; have a porcelain cockerel. Wonder what the difference is between "Blue" and "Self Blue" and wonder what kind chicks porcelain x blue will create.

I'm totally new to this breeding thing and am not planning on getting show birds, just letting nature take its course.

CG

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Be interested in reading the answer too. just bought a "Self Blue D'uccle" pullet; have a porcelain cockerel. Wonder what the difference is between "Blue" and "Self Blue" and wonder what kind chicks porcelain x blue will create.

I'm totally new to this breeding thing and am not planning on getting show birds, just letting nature take its course.

CG

Well, self blue is one phenotype (appearance) and blue is a different one. USUALLY, self blue is created with the lavender gene (lav), but it is possible to get a self blue with the blue gene (Bl).

 

[hdowden]

try reading through this thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/612440/lavender-self-blue

 

[CGinJCMO]

Thanks, I think that's exactly what i was trying to find last night.

Now to find the answer to another question I've got (It's about run size that i found before but can't find it now that I want it again)

CG