Spiral Line Breeding and Genetics

[Cyprus]

One more question, since we're on project colors... How do you get Lav cross Buff to equal porcelain/blue cream? TIA!

Um, for Silkies? Only the silkie world refers to Porcelain as Blue Cream.

There is no way to get porcelain from buff x lav. You need mottling for that, and neither of the parent colors have mottling. Not to mention lav x buff will through black split to lav and those crossed to each other will throw leaky lavs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you guys a ton for having this conversation with me!

The real challenge is already knowing that my attention to detail is so over the top that even breeding already pretty good birds together... I feel as though maybe only 1 or 2 out of every 100 that hatch are true breeding quality.

Y'all have indeed confirmed that I should not waste my time breeding the wheaten to hopefully get black and eventually more Lav as while it's doable it can be very challenging.

@ChickenCanoe The chocolate connection you sent me has replied and also has Black... I think I will see about getting some of those and incorporating to the spiral plan!

Thank you all, again!

My attention to detail is over the top as well, but that is combined with as an admitted procrastinator. Those don't go together well. Procrastination is definitely not the best characteristic in an animal and plant husbandryman.

I don't want this to sound like a 'woe is me' rant but one would think improving a black bird may be easy. But I have to decide how to prioritize the very unique characteristics of the breed when culling.
My priorities tend to vary from time to time but it is a real juggling act. If I saw some traits diminish over time I would bump them up on the list. Right now, dark egg color, white earlobes, all black feathers, dark slate legs, horn of ox color beaks, carnation combs, conformation, etc..
I can usually identify at hatch at least 30% of the birds that will never be breeders here. The other 60% will be identified in the next 6-10 months.

 

[Cyprus]

My attention to detail is over the top as well, but that is combined with an admitted procrastinator. Those don't go together well. Procrastination is definitely not the best characteristic in an animal and plant husbandryman.

I don't want this to sound like a 'woe is me' rant but one would think improving a black bird may be easy. But I have to decide how to prioritize the very unique characteristics of the breed when culling.
My priorities tend to vary from time to time but it is a real juggling act. If I saw some traits diminish over time I would bump them up on the list. Right now, dark egg color, white earlobes, all black feathers, dark slate legs, horn of ox color beaks, carnation combs, conformation, etc..

Pardon my derailment, but your birds are wonderful I often wish I had the space to purchase some hatching eggs from you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

double post

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Pardon my derailment, but your birds are wonderful I often wish I had the space to purchase some hatching eggs from you.

Thank you!
It is easy, get rid of all the birds you currently have and love and get some of these that I've become so fond of.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

triple post

 

[ColtHandorf]

I agree with the quality of your Penedesencas. I didn't enjoy mine fifteen years ago, but I love seeing yours.

 

[Cyprus]

Thank you!
It is easy, get rid of all the birds you currently have and love and get some of these that I've become so fond of.

Don't tempt me. I have an empty coop.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree with the quality of your Penedesencas. I didn't enjoy mine fifteen years ago, but I love seeing yours.

Seeing them and loving them are two different things. I realize they are not for everyone. Some call them flighty but that designation is more nuanced. I call them aloof and wary. Given enough space, they are less flighty. Just don't corner a bird in a tight space. By the time they are a year or so old they are pretty calm. But if you get a single bird alone in a confined space, they go ballistic. A flock of them together will run up and bother you.
They are very respectful of fences and in that regard are easy keepers.
What variety did you have? Where did you get your birds?

Don't tempt me. I have an empty coop.

That's all you need for now!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've tried to be able to give them a label that identifies them. They are unlike any breed I've raised. I think I should characterize them as a breed that is very productive of very large, very dark eggs that is to be admired from afar and their aloofness makes them very predator resistant.
They aren't for the pet person that wants lap pets.
I really admire them when they free range and then collect all those huge dark eggs.