Difference Between Lavender and Blue Colors? (Orpingtons)

[Miss Sue]

What is the difference between lavender and blue in Orpingtons? My hen's neck and head feathers do no look as dark as some of the hens I've seen photographed here. She also has a few random black feathers. Is that typical?

Susan

 

[Buckguy20]

The lavender gene is another name for self blue while the blue gene is from the Andalusian blue. Chcikens with the lavender (self blue) gene will breed true as long as they are bred lavender to lavender.
The andalusian blue gene will allow black, blue and splash even when bred true.
The only self blues I know of are in OEG bantams and D'uccles.

 

[ksacres]

Blue is often referred to as Andalusian blue, and is dominant. Two Bl genes will give you a splash, one gene is blue, no genes is normal

Lavender is often referred to as Self Blue, and is recessive. Two lav genes will give you a self blue, one gene is a carrier, no genes is normal.

Andalusian blue varies greatly in color and appearance. It sounds as though you may have a splash, which is homozygous Bl/Bl

Self blue is generally a very even, pale color, and the lav gene works on red as well. It is the gene responsible for turning a Mille Fleur into a Porcelain.

 

[MissPrissy]

My goodness ya'll are smart this morning! I need more coffee to keep up.

 

[Buckguy20]

KSacres, you are my new hero. In the future i will post nothing of my limited knowledge on genetics but instead refer everything to you.

So tell me, what can I cross a self blue oeg with and pass on the blue coloring? I know you have to breed self blue to self blue to get self blue but is there some other breed that it would cross with to get the blue coloring. I want to stay away from the black and splash that comes with the Andalusians.
Thanks,
Your humble grasshopper

 

[Shaffer]

Lavender Orpington: Look at Hinkjc avatar and she has pictures in the other Backyard Chickens site. HS

 

[pips&peeps]

The only self blues I know of are in OEG bantams and D'uccles.

There are several members of the Ameraucana Breeders Club that have lavenders now. They are a work in progress.​

 

[hinkjc]

There are quite a few breeders in the process of working on self blue breeds (lavender, porcelain). As someone mentioned, we are going to work on standard lavender orps. We also have bantam porcelain tournaisis and pyncheon. I am also familiar with folks with lavender ameraucana.

Jody

 

[Miss Sue]

Thanks, everyone. Wow! I am fairly new to chickens and the various colors they can be.

When it stops raining, I will try to get some pics of my hen, so everyone can see her colors. (She's looking a little molty right now, though.)

Susan

 

[tiffanyh]

Miss Sue, I would love to see a pic too....she should be a blue, as her parents were blue/black and splash orps. Only self blue genes can produce blue chicks everytime. There were blacks and splashes in her "litter".

I went thorough some similar questioning with my roo (her brother) recently.

Looking forward to her pics!

Here is a "littermate" of hers.

and the one here on the left is a blue too...just aVERY dark blue...