Partridge Silkies - do the colors breed true?

[racuda]

I have seen many examples of Partridge Silkies where the females look almost buff and the males have no black or much color. My question is if someone started with a nice pair that met the standard for color would they throw mostly properly colored chicks, or would they produce the washed out birds, with the chance for a few good ones?

 

[TK Poultry]

They should produce some nice chicks I would think. I wouldn't breed two washed out ones together. I would go for a washed out x too dark and see what you get as well. I have that problem as well plus with the blue partridge you have to deal with more brassy appearance vs the mahogany appearance desired.

 

[ultasol]

No matter what color you are working with, some offspring of even the best pair will be quality and some will not. You raise a bunch and keep the best. I have silver laced wyandottes as well as silkies- although they have been silver laced on silver laced for a very long time, and all offspring are silver laced, the quality of the lacing varies. Some have better color and lacing than others.

Patterns are more difficult to work with than solids.

 

[TK Poultry]

Quote:
Agreed! I have admired Partridge and Blue Partridge Silkies for a long time and no one told me how hard the color actually was! Any pattern is hard. The more rare the harder it is! Believe me I feel like I'm in quick sand with my Brown Red Ameraucana bantams!

 

[ultasol]

However,... someone has got to do it! Would be a shame to lose the variety.

 

[jeepchick]

Here's pics of my Partridge Silkies I got at a swap.