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Need help with color questions please!

Discussion in 'General breed discussions & FAQ' started by Smokin Silkies, Jan 24, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 24, 2010 #1
    Smokin Silkies

    Smokin Silkies formerly browneyebuttafly

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    Mar 27, 2009
    Western, PA
    I had ordered BBS Silkies last year. I ended up with 5 Black and a Splash, I think one of the blacks may be blue because she is lighter like a very dark greyish color. So my question is if I take an all black roo and hen and breed them, would they produce all black chicks or would they possibly give me blue or splash also? This whole genetics thing really confuses me. Can a BBS hatch babies that are 'pure' black, pure blue and pure splash or are they considered 'mixed'? I think I just repeated myself. Could somebody point me in the direction of a 'for dummies' chart on this that will explain things in easy English. I just wanted to start breeding them and wanted to do just black. Thanks so much!
     
  3. Jan 24, 2010 #2
    Matt A NC

    Matt A NC Overrun With Chickens

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    Feb 22, 2007
    Morganton, NC
    Black X Black = 100% Black
    Black X Blue = 50% Blue, 50 % Black
    Black X splash = 100% Blue
    Blue X Blue = 25% Black, 50% Blue, 25% Splash
    Blue X Splash = 50% Blue, 50% Splash
    Splash X Splash = 100% Splash

    Now there are cases when a blue can be so dark that a person mistakes it as a black. If you get blue from a black x black mating, then one of the parents is actually a really dark blue. Blue is dominant so if the bird carries blue it will show, but may be too dark to really tell it apart till the next generation.

    Blacks from a Blue x Blue mating are sports. In most cases they are fine as black, but from time to time you will get a black that is flat in color. They will lack the feather shine of a true black.

    Matt
     

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