Genetics discussion about this silkie cockerel...thanks for your input

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Beautiful hen! Do you know if grey's breed true when bred to each other...like lav to lav or splash to splash??

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

Judy, indeed they should. But I am new to the ownership of Grays so I'm learning.

I have a roo that is Gray, but I'm not happy with his "type". The chin. gray color, from what I understand, is not as common so finding a replacement for the one I have has not been easy. (And thus, the interest in your cockeral

)

 

[blackdotte]

This bird is lacking sufficient melanisers. No 'e' series allele, not even E Extended Black can make a totally black birds without the assistance of melanisers. The breaking through of colour (gold or silver) on the neck hackles, shoulders is more noticeably on males.
This bird is Silver. Very often this pseuo-birchen will be a result of mating two light Blue birds, or a light Blue & a blue-bred Black. The light blue indicating lack of melanisers.
You could mate him to a really Black hen to re introduce the melanisers, or a Grey (Silver Pencilled) hen, or you can just cull him, all depends on what you want.
David

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
Yeah...that would be my dream!! I've not been able to find any lavender pullets with decent type. Actually, I did see one on eggbid, but just couldn't go the $200.00!!

I was able to get these split lavender eggs from which I hatched this boy...and the baby in the picture above. So one has silver hackles and the other is grey! I'm batting 1000

So out of about a 18 split lavender eggs, I got 2 birds

I find silkies extremely hard to hatch in an incubator. I gave 4 eggs to a broody hen and she had a 100% hatch...of course!!

BTW...silkieluvr...THAT is a great looking partridge silkie. I guess I've seen pics of some really bad ones...

Thankyou! I love Rachelle so much!

Yes, there is many partridges that are not great examples of the variety. My one PQ I have from a hatchery is pretty pathetic. haha