Lavender Orpington project ....

[HallFamilyFarm]

It has been described as...

Paint the barn....

Rebuild the barn ...

Paint the barn...

Rebuild the barn.

You have to keep going back to the Black Orpington to improve type in each generation of Lavender/Self Blue. Otherwise, you will have nicely colored birds that have no breed type at all.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Quick stupid question. I feel sure the answer is Yes but I'm going to ask anyway. Does the same apply to blues?

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Quick stupid question. I feel sure the answer is Yes but I'm going to ask anyway. Does the same apply to blues?

No, the Blue gene expresses differently than Lavender.

Black X Blue = 50% Black, 50% Blue
Blue X Blue = 50% Blue, 25% Black, 25% Splash
Blue X Splash = 50% Blue, 50% Splash
Splash X Splash = 100% Splash
Black X Splash = 100% Blue

 

[jeremy]

BTW, I've always been taught there's no such thing as a stupid question.

Asking questions is how we learn.

 

[crazyeggs]

Quote:
I was just going to ask the same question liv4fun. It is always nice to have a place to ask and receive information.
Thanks Jeremy for answering.
I have a nice split black to lav roo that I am going to breed with my lav pullets and according to this info I should get 50% split and 50% lav. I also have some nice lav cockerels that I may keep one and breed with one of my lav pullets and then breed back to split black.

 

[Homegroanacres]

When ya'll speak of Black are you talking about Black w/BBS genes?


John

 

[Goose and Fig]

Quote:
You can use black from an all-black flock or a BBS flock. The most important thing is to find blacks that have the right type to improve your lavenders.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Some are using birds from the B/B/S pens, but you are better off with the Black. The B/B/S genetics will complicate your genetics.

 

[Homegroanacres]

Quote:
You can use black from an all-black flock or a BBS flock. The most important thing is to find blacks that have the right type to improve your lavenders.

Would not a BBS Black produce other color's?

John

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
We've already had this conversation...

Using Blue, Black and Splash birds in your Lavender program WILL NOT "complicate your genetics".

It seems we'll just have to agree to disagree on that subject.

You will need to be diligent in your record keeping though to ensure that the Lavender gene is kept track of, so when you breed certain birds together you'll know exactly what to expect from the offspring.

Like HappyMtn mentioned, TYPE is paramount, it should take precedence over all other things, including color. Once you have great type on your birds then you can worry about everything else.