They are a first generation cross between two tightly bred lines. The Toppy side was kept as such for at least 10 years while the White was not as clear about how long it was kept. Number of generations and details of breeding (i.e. line breeding, inbreeding, some sort of rotational) not related to me. I purchased birds from sons of guy that kept them. Birds purchased I guess where not the product of a planned or quality mating hence reason they were sold at the animal swap. It may even be parentage not truly known other than the product of a given yard. Until I have permission of sellers their names will not be posted.
Using grays will not help me much with down coloration as I have crossed grays into them in the past. The grizzled look was simply not reliable, especially on a duck / chipmunk base pattern. Was better when base coloration darker like with dark brown and extended black but you still had to wait a couple weeks for body feathers to start coming out.
These birds will be kept, my second guess as to their genetic background would be better than first guess. The gray / silver allele can certainly be used later. As can the wheaton which I am almost certain is present.
This will put me back on the market for black or brown red hens, preferably of the sort I hope can still be found in KY. Most games in MO seem to be the product of recent grading with Aseel or some other oriental that pulls station up.
Test matings will have to be made with these pullets to see what pops out. I am pretty sure about 1 in 4 will come out wheaton when bred to black breasted reds. That assumes the pullets are heterozygous for silver or dominant white. Based in what I remember of the source yard, these pullets could easily be homozygous for grey even though a cross. He had multiple grey lines.
