A worthy and worthwhile project. I do agree that white dorkings would be an easier starting place that the silvers as one would fight the pyle influence for generations. I would think that the original mating records would still be available from the Beltsville USDA Lab. I think that many of our production oriented breeds have lost that vigor to the showroom and we as poultry keepers need to remember that the Standard calls for the most useful type to be selected. If a chicken cannot breed, lay and reproduce its kind it is no longer useful. It is for this reason that all of my cochins are natural breeders and the males very aggressive breeders, so much so that even without trimming I get some level of fertility. Mr. Lamon's breeding records would be an invaluable resource to understand the exact combinations which resulted in the final product he achieved.
Bo
