Silkie color confusion...

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I'm confused about the "blue" color of Silkies. I've read descriptions, and seen pics of Blue and Self-Blue. They look very different to me.

I've had it explained to me---by other Silkie breeders---the "Blue" is nearly the same as black, minus the beetle-green sheen, and including a lighter black in the fluff.

Which blue meets the Standard of Perfection? Which blue do you show?

Anyone able to clarify this for me???

 

[call ducks]

hi self blue is lavender gene wich will breed 100% lavender (self blue) where as blue is addaltion (sp?) blue gene. it breeds 25% black 50% blue 25% splash. i know you can show blue silkies , i am not fammler with the silkie SOP so i do not know what colours can be showen.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

"Self Blue", or Lavender is a completely different genetic makeup from the other. Lavender is not yet accepted as a standard color, so it can only be show in in AOV classes. These are 'All Other Varities', which consists of those birds which do not meet the standard colors as approved by the APA.

"Blue" is caused by the Andalusian Blue gene. The description you have been given is incorrect. A true blue should be a slate gray color, with darker, navy blue type hackle feathers. If your blue Silkie looks black, 'minus the beetle green sheen' then your bird is incorrect in color, and should not be shown or bred to continue the blue line.

The 'blue', caused by the Andalusian Blue gene is the only variety that currently meets the APA Standard of Perfection.


ETA: The forums 'search' feature is your best friend. Learn to use it, as doing so will turn up a multitude of previous discussions on the 'lavender vs. blue' topic.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Thank you both for your replies...

My blacks are true blacks with the beetle green sheen, but I just bought 3 pullets that are suppose to be "self Blue". They look nothing like lavender to me; more of a blue with darker (almost black)areas. Guess I'll have to let them mature to see what they turn out like.

I'll give the Forum search a try

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Are the supposed to BE or CARRY self-blue?

Depth of colour in andalusian blue is quite variable, and different people prefer lighter/medium/darker shades based upon their own preferences. The Bantam Standard describes blue as "a uniform shade of plain slaty blue sharply laced with bluish black." A bird with one copy each of the pattern and melanotic genes will have much heavier lacing and appear darker than one carrying two copies of each or none of each. Too many melanizers can cause a darker bird. A genetically blue bird can be nearly black in depth of colour, but as Chris said, it is not the correct shade. I do not find the beetle green shine to be an indicator or whether a bird is blue or not. For example, I have splash (no question about their colouring or genes) whose tail splashings have a beetle green shine.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

Thank you Sonoran---I hoped you see this post.
Mine are suppose to BE self blue.

Then if someone has a black, that doesn't have the beetle green sheen, but does have some lighter shades of black in their fluff---what are they? Just a mutt black?

 

[LilPeeps]

Posting pics will greatly help in the identification of your birds.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Pics would definitely help. There is a differenced in the fluff and undercolour of a blue vs black. Undercolour for a black should be "dull black." Undercolour for a blue should be "slaty blue."

Also, some genetic blacks are dull black, no beetle green to them, and of course feather condition can make a difference.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Also, how old are your birds? A similar question was asked on another forum and the birds in qustion are newly hatched chicks; chick down vs adult plumage can make a huge difference.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
In addition, some blacks have a 'beetle purple' sheen, which is supposedly a defect in the construction of the feathers. Haven't done that much research into, its just what I've been told by master breeders.