Orpington Breeding Question

[tberggren]

I hope you will not mind all the questions, because it turned out that I ended up with several. If you could post your thoughts on all of them I would greatly appreciate it.

Here goes, I have four really nice hens, two black, one blue and one splash. I am wondering which it would be better to get to breed with them, a splash roo or a blue?

I know with the splash roo the offspring would only be blue and splash no blacks. (at least if I understand what I've been instructed properly) Would that be a bad thing? Is that what most are interested in anyway?

Also I have a choice between two splash roo's (both equally nice) one has more of a distinct pattern that the other, am I correct in assuming that he is the one I should go with??

I also have a choice of two blues (again both equally nice) one is darker than the other, if I were to choose a blue would you recommend going with the darker boy??

Thanks everyone for taking the time to help. Really looking forward to hearing your replies.

Warm Regards
Theresa

 

[speckledhen]

I think I would first try to determine which one has the best body type, leg and eye color. Plumage color would be secondary to those, IMO, unless you specifically want all mostly blue chicks (all blue in splash over black).

 

[KKluckers]

Quote:
I agree with Cyn. Can you post some pictures. I would be glad to help you.

Edited to add:
Do you know what the splashes parents looked like? Did they have nice lacing?

 

[tberggren]

Quote:
I will try to post some pictures, and no I don't know what the parents looked like but will see if the breeder will send me some pictures.

Thanks

 

[tberggren]

For pictures see https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=82202

Thanks