Confused about White Trait in Silkie

[peepinglaura]

We bought some white bearded silkies (roos and hens) last year from a man who shows his birds- he had about 75 silkies, all pure white. We hatched some of their eggs and were surprised to discover 1 black chick. The 4 others that hatched appear to white (one looks more buff than white).

Reading here, I see that the white can be a recessive trait. If it's pure recessive, then how did we get a black chick? Can this black one have a white offspring? Can I expect any other colors in future hatches? Can I suddenly have a buff, or a partridge?

Thanks,

Laura

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=358000&p=2

see post #13 and 14.

There are other threads too about this...sonoran silkies is a good one to look for (her posts)! She knows a lot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2169586
see #23

 

[peepinglaura]

Wow, thank you. That was fast! I'd be less confused if the seller's flock wasn't all white. Thanks for the links- off to read them!

Laura

 

[tadkerson]

Quote:
I am not Sonoran Silkies but I can attempt to explain the occurrence.

Silkies should be recessive white (c/c). So if you cross a recessive white with a recessive white you should get all white chicks.

The only way I can think of that the person would get a black chick would be if one of the silkies was dominant white and only carried one dominant white gene. The silkie that carried dominant white did not carry two recessive white genes. You can get a pure white chicken with one dominant white gene- the bird must carry other genes that would support the dominant white gene. Supporting genes would be columbian, dark brown, silver and barring.

The black is carrying a recessive white gene so if you cross the black with a recessive white some of the chicks will be black and others white.

I do not think other varieties will show- buff is polygenic and partridge takes three genes to produce. It would take selection and additional crossing to produce the varieties.

Tim

 

[peepinglaura]

Thanks, Tim, for the concise reply. I wish I kept track of which of our hens contributed that egg, or which rooster was involved so I could track it down. I love the look of this little guy, but this is my son's project and he really wanted to breed all white ones. Oh well, this can be a cool learning project for us! One recessive white chicken makes a lot of sense.

So, if they look black as a chick, will they be black as full groen chickens, or could it turn blue/ silver, etc.? Terribly newbie question, I know!



Laura

 

[tadkerson]

Quote:
Laura,

Can you post a picture of the chick.

Tim

 

[peepinglaura]

Hope this works!

Laura

 

[peepinglaura]

Tim, thanks for taking a look at the picture. Not the best pic, but the best I could do in a jiffy. This guy does not like to stay still!

So, whaddaya think? Black for sure?

Laura

 

[tadkerson]

Looks like you will have a black bird. His bill appears to be a solid black color which means he is extended black at the E locus- this is the best allele ( gene) to make a black bird.

Tim