Silkie color. Lavender or blue?

[KrysMarie]

Just got this smooth girl yesterday, and was told by the breeder she'll turn lavender. She's 9-10 weeks old. Mom is a lavender dad a silver. What do you think? Could she actually turn light lavender like her mother?
And what is "sideboard" or "sidewalk" coloring the breeder used such terms to describe the pattern....??? Help.

 

[KrysMarie]

Two more photos from today.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

That bird will NEVER turn lavender. It is blue.

Silver, for some reason is the term to describe splash in Silkies.

Lavender, if not bred to a lavender bird will breed as black. Black cross splash equals 100% BLUE birds. That breeder is mistaken on their genetics. Maybe you could fill them in.

Never heard that sideboard term, I would guess just some BS to make up for the bird not being nice and clean colored... but I still have some to learn, so ..

Blue is one of my favorite colors (except for in Sillkies). She appears to be female in my experience.

 

[KrysMarie]

Darn. I had my hear set on lavender. I was so excited when she told me I'd have a lavender. She was very kind and seemed very knowledgeable. She shows her birds. I guess I assumed she knew what she was doing. So she'll stay this dark then?

 

[KrysMarie]

Hi.

That bird will NEVER turn lavender. It is blue.

Silver, for some reason is the term to describe splash in Silkies.

Lavender, if not bred to a lavender bird will breed as black. Black cross splash equals 100% BLUE birds. That breeder is mistaken on their genetics. Maybe you could fill them in.

Never heard that sideboard term, I would guess just some BS to make up for the bird not being nice and clean colored... but I still have some to learn, so ..

Blue is one of my favorite colors (except for in Sillkies). She appears to be female in my experience.

Forgot to quote

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes, she will stay dark.

Lavender is a double copy of the recessive diluter gene to black. Both parents must have it. 1 copy give you blue and 2 copies gives you lavender.

Any lavender bird will breed true to any other lavender bird regardless of breed. But if the lavender bird is bred to ANY other color, it counts as a black breeding... and the offspring would have 1 copy of the lavender gene... UNLESS the other parent was recessive lavender in which case it MIGHT get 2 copies. Sorry, I know it gets confusing. So I would say that even though the breeder was pretty knowledgeable, that it's easy to be mistaken or even confused.

Lavender babies are a very distinct color from birth, kind of yellowish.

Blue chicks..

But for the breeder to think a chicken will suddenly turn lavender if that isn't the color it is already, means they are definitely a little confused IMO.

Yes, I breed Silkies. Lavender Orpington were my first choice breed. But the lavender gene requires too much work to keep the feathers good quality... Have been considering lavender Silkies though since they seem fairly rare... and I love Silkies! Focused on paints right now though... but maybe!!! You've heard of chicken math, right?! If not... beware, it's contagious.

I have two lines of silkies. One with very small crest like yours and the other with very poofy crests. Hoping I will get a nice happy medium from the two. My small crested ones have NO problem free ranging with the rest of the flock. The big crests are fairly new, but I can see how even though the big crest is sooooo cute, it is a hindrance. Silkies aren't easy to sex either. So if you got a female too, that's awesome!

 

[KrysMarie]

Yes, she will stay dark.

Lavender is a double copy of the recessive diluter gene to black. Both parents must have it. 1 copy give you blue and 2 copies gives you lavender.

Any lavender bird will breed true to any other lavender bird regardless of breed. But if the lavender bird is bred to ANY other color, it counts as a black breeding... and the offspring would have 1 copy of the lavender gene... UNLESS the other parent was recessive lavender in which case it MIGHT get 2 copies. Sorry, I know it gets confusing. So I would say that even though the breeder was pretty knowledgeable, that it's easy to be mistaken or even confused.

Lavender babies are a very distinct color from birth, kind of yellowish.
View attachment 1093013

Blue chicks..
View attachment 1093016

But for the breeder to think a chicken will suddenly turn lavender if that isn't the color it is already, means they are definitely a little confused IMO.

Yes, I breed Silkies. Lavender Orpington were my first choice breed. But the lavender gene requires too much work to keep the feathers good quality... Have been considering lavender Silkies though since they seem fairly rare... and I love Silkies! Focused on paints right now though... but maybe!!! You've heard of chicken math, right?! If not... beware, it's contagious.

I have two lines of silkies. One with very small crest like yours and the other with very poofy crests. Hoping I will get a nice happy medium from the two. My small crested ones have NO problem free ranging with the rest of the flock. The big crests are fairly new, but I can see how even though the big crest is sooooo cute, it is a hindrance. Silkies aren't easy to sex either. So if you got a female too, that's awesome!

I love the lavender, it's my favorite color.
I was told she is a female. Hopefully. I can't have Roos. And the chicke wasn't cheap imo.
I was told when her adult feathers come in she will be fluffier. When is this supposed to happen?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I love the lavender, it's my favorite color.
I was told she is a female. Hopefully. I can't have Roos. And the chicke wasn't cheap imo.
I was told when her adult feathers come in she will be fluffier. When is this supposed to happen?

Sorry, your bird won't get fluffier either. As far as I can tell... it is either a Silkie mix... or they are breeding Silkies that DON'T fit the standard of perfection... OR their birds are throwing hidden faults, IF you saw BOTH parents and they indeed were both silkied. And there are 2 types of Silkies, bearded and non bearded. Yours looks non bearded.

All I can really say... is LOUSY breeder. But I DO think you got a female, and that is very difficult for many to judge accurately.

Also, I can't see the legs in your pics. They should be heavily feathered and have 5 toes.

Still, the way she is sitting calmly indicates you might have a nice bird on your hands. Birds that enjoy being close and handled are special to me!

They will go through several mini molts before 16 weeks. but the feathers won't change texture once the original down is gone. Silkies just look like their down never goes away. By 16 weeks you should expect basically permanent color which may molt slightly lighter as age set in. But they won't change pattern or texture.

This breeder read you and told you what they thought you wanted to hear instead of telling the truth about their stock and making an honest sale. Though I like to give people the benefit of the doubt... if they call themselves a Silkie breeder and sold you that bird claiming it WILL turn lavender and it WILL get fluffier... they are blatant liars taking advantage of your inexperience... OR REALLY STUPID.

Anyways, I have gotten some good birds that were lied about due to my previous inexperience. And she is cute and does appear to at least be a Silkie mix if not full. Each time I learn better what questions to ask next time and learn to read between the lines as well.

Do you have more than 1 bird? Chickens NEED friends.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Forgot to ask... do you mind sharing how much you paid?

 

[KrysMarie]

Forgot to ask... do you mind sharing how much you paid?

Ugh. How annoying. :/ well they're still cute and my daughters love them.
I have two 18 week olds a Easter egger and a light brahma. I also have a two week old RIR with a crooked beak we call her CC for crooked chicken. And another chick that I purchased with my blue smooth silkie or smooth sizzle I can't remember the correct term.
She's a white silkie, she has a couple black spots, but they are hard to see in the picture.