I just finished reading "21st Century Poultry Breeding" by Grant Brereton. He did a ton of work with pattern and colors of wyandottes, breeding in other breeds to get the genes for color or pattern and working on those traits while gradually bringing back type. Very interesting and educational for someone just learning. Great pics and descriptions made it easier - I said easiER, not easy - to understand. Me? Favs seem tough enough as it is - I'll stick with the basic. Good luck to you explorers!