Silkie breeding pair

[NatJ]

I thought I may could use them in a color project but until I get them tested to see what genes they carry (hopefully in a few months) it really isn’t going to do much good.

Are you thinking of genetic tests, or test mating?

If you are just wondering about recessive vs. dominant white, you could breed one of them to some other bird that does not have white, and hatch a few chicks to see what colors you get. Recessive white should not give any white chicks in that case, while dominant white should give half or all of chicks showing white.

I absolutely hate to not use them somehow since they have such good type.

I was wondering about that. If their type is that good, it could be worth trying to fix the color for future generations.

 

[LAM17]

Are you thinking of genetic tests, or test mating?

If you are just wondering about recessive vs. dominant white, you could breed one of them to some other bird that does not have white, and hatch a few chicks to see what colors you get. Recessive white should not give any white chicks in that case, while dominant white should give half or all of chicks showing white.


I was wondering about that. If their type is that good, it could be worth trying to fix the color for future generations.

Genetic testing - that way I know what I am working with and if it is truly worth the time and effort to fix the color. I have a pair of recessive white juveniles that are showing promise, so it may just be something that I can tackle in my spare time.