Splash question - still confused!

[cochin44]

OK, I think I have all the Black/Blue/Splash genetics halfway figured out,
but could someone please explain why, in simplest terms, why Splash to Black = 100% Blue ???

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! One copy of the blue gene diutes black to blue.
2 copies of the blue gene dilutes black to splash.
So, splash (2 copies) to black will leave you with blue.
I couldn't catch it for the longest time.

Lisa

 

[pips&peeps]

For an example, lets say BB is black, Bb is Blue and bb is splash. I know these are not the correct genetic terms, but using it for an example.

If you breed BB to bb all resulting chicks would be Bb. Do you know how to do the punnet square?

 

[bigstack]

???? Wish I could help! I just printed off the cross list. LOL

Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[cochin44]

OK, I think I'm starting to get it! But what is the dilution gene? is that the little "b"?
By the way, this stuff is really neat!

 

[pips&peeps]

yes

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Blue is ONE dilution gene, there are a number of them, including one called "dilute." DIfferent dilution genes dilute one or both plumage pigments (there are only two: eumelanin--black, and pheomelanin--red). THe dilution gene under discussion is the blue gene, designated Bl. It dilutes only black pigment. It is an incompletely dominate gene, meaning that one copy dilutes significantly less than two copies. Its alternative allele is bl, not-blue. Every chicken has two copies of these alternatives. A bird with two copies of bl has undiluted black in the plumage (ignoring other dilution genes); a bird with one copy (Bl bl) has somewhat diluted feathers. This "partial" dilution is called blue. A bird with two copis of Bl has significantly diluted black pigment in the feathers; this is called splash.

If one parent is splash: Bl Bl, they will always contribute a copy of blue to their offspring. If a parent is black, it will always contribute not-blue to its offspring. The offspring of these two parents will always have one copy of blue and one of not-blue: Bl bl. And this genotype results in the phenotype of a blue bird.

 

[cochin44]

Quote:
Thanks, good explanation. Eventually I'll start learning this stuff with all the colors.