Genetics of black

[halo]

Boy is there a lot of good reading on that site. Thats for the link.

 

[tadkerson]

Quote:
Show quality and non show quality birds are often different when it comes to genetics. The reason many black birds are silver is because it is much easier to produce a black bird if the bird is silver. In order to cover red with black, it takes more genes and the correct combination of genes to cover the red. Producers of non show quality birds are not concerned with the Standard of Perfection, they do not care if they are dull black, green iridescent or purple/blue iridescent.



A breeder of black birds that is having a problem with red leaking through the black may try

1. breeding his or her birds to silver blacks to get rid of the red (dark or yellow/dusky yellow shanks and feet)

2. breeding her or his birds to homozygous extended black birds to get rid of the red (dark shanks and feet only)

3. Rocks do not have birchen or extended black as a part of their genetic make up. The black color in a rock ( or any yellow shanked black) is based upon the eb or brown gene.
That is also why the undercolor is different on a rock and other black birds.

If a person breeds his or her birds to a silver black bird then they run the risk of a disqualification because of a white feather. I am sure judges frown on red but I do not believe red is a disqualification. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.
I am not into showing birds.

Tim