Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[ChickNmamma]

Here's Smirks in all of her crooked glory

Smirks is very lucky - that is a slight crook - and it looks like both top an bottom went that way.

Mine had a straight bottom beak - and the top curled over and sideways. I had to cut the bottom off because I was afraid it would curl all the way around the bottom and make it impossible for it to eat. However, I think the crookedness on mine was reflected somehow in her skull - because she always acted "odd".

 

[Lynzi777]

Yes.  But not just breeding Splits - any color (except White?) can throw Partridge.   Partridge is one of those recessive colors that doesn't come up unless both parents carry Partridge.  It also expresses in chick down but may go away completely when they grow up - so you can have Partridge Chicks and Blue or Black Adults.  I have a bunch of ex-Partridge chicks that now look Buff.  Only one still has any Partridge coloring left on her - and that's what I was trying to get.

Also - you don't get 100% black with Split/Black - you get 50% Black Splits (carrying Lavender) and 50% blacks.  They may LOOK black - but they carry lavender.  While they say you can't see the difference, it does change the genetics for their children, so I wouldn't call them Black.  When you throw Blue into the mix you get.. ummmmm.. I think its 25% Black, 25% Blue, 25% Black Split and 25% Blue Split?  Only by test breeding can you find out who is Black or Blue - and who is the Splits.

But this is what I'm saying, if I had a blue split bred to a black hen shouldn't I have gotten a blue or black looking chick? Or is it still possible for those partridge chicks to show up?

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote:
It is possible to get a Partridge looking chick from any breeding colors (except White?). It means both parents carry Partridge under their expressed color. The Phenotype may be Blue - or Black - or Buff - but the Genotype is 1/2 Partridge. Just like your Blue Split Lav rooster looks blue only he carries Lavender and matched with another Lavender carrying bird the children can be Lavender. Maybe if you think of it that way it will make sense. Perhaps think of both of your birds as "split to Partridge"

I know its much more complex than that because Partridge is not just a gene - but this would be a very simplified version. They can also grow up to look like regular Blue, or Black, or Buff or whatever - but still create Partridge looking chicks.

 

[Lynzi777]

It is possible to get a Partridge looking chick from any breeding colors (except White?).  It means both parents carry Partridge under their expressed color.  The Phenotype may be Blue - or Black - or Buff - but the Genotype is 1/2 Partridge.  Just like your Blue Split Lav rooster looks blue only he carries Lavender and matched with another Lavender carrying bird the children can be Lavender.  Maybe if you think of it that way it will make sense.  Perhaps think of both of your birds as "split to Partridge"   I know its much more complex than that because Partridge is not just a gene - but this would be a very simplified version.  They can also grow up to look like regular Blue, or Black, or Buff or whatever - but still create Partridge looking chicks.

Gotcha! Thanks for explaining!

 

[alamb1]

Here's Smirks in all of her crooked glory

I think that name suits her well!!

 

[alamb1]

This is a new blue we bought my son today. We're still on the fence as to whether its a pullet or cockerel. Any thoughts from you all? We're thinking about letting him show it in a couple of shows next week. What do you all waaaaayyyy more experienced people think? Try not to pay to much attention the those droopy wings. It's hot here today!

This is a splash pullet we picked up for him today. He fell in love with her and named her Winter! He's going to show her as well. Any comments are welcomed and appreciated by us newbies!!

 

[alamb1]

This is a new blue we bought my son today. We're still on the fence as to whether its a pullet or cockerel. Any thoughts from you all? We're thinking about letting him show it in a couple of shows next week. What do you all waaaaayyyy more experienced people think? Try not to pay to much attention the those droopy wings. It's hot here today!

This is a splash pullet we picked up for him today. He fell in love with her and named her Winter! He's going to show her as well. Any comments are welcomed and appreciated by us newbies!!

I forgot to mention that they are 4.5 months old.

 

[thedragonlady]

This is a new blue we bought my son today. We're still on the fence as to whether its a pullet or cockerel. Any thoughts from you all? We're thinking about letting him show it in a couple of shows next week. What do you all waaaaayyyy more experienced people think? Try not to pay to much attention the those droopy wings. It's hot here today!



This is a splash pullet we picked up for him today. He fell in love with her and named her Winter! He's going to show her as well. Any comments are welcomed and appreciated by us newbies!!

I'm leaning towards that blue being a cockerel because of the back of its' crest.Those feathers look like the streamers starting. Nice bird, and I love the little splash .

 

[alamb1]

I'm leaning towards that blue being a cockerel because of the back of its' crest.Those feathers look like the streamers starting. Nice bird, and I love the little splash .

Thank you dragonlady. That's exactly what we were thinking!

 

[alamb1]

Look what hatched today!! My son is super excited!