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Yeah, I would like to know the same thing. I see breeders selling their black split to paint all the time but how would they know if the birds are really split that they are selling you or just a non-split black ?? Is there a way to tell?
The term split is used to indicate a recessive gene that is present, but does is not seen, because only one copy is present (and two are needed for the gene to affect the actual appearance).
There is a lot that is NOT known about paints. It is THOUGHT that paint is either dominant white or an allele of dominant white. Breeding has shown that it makes an appearance when only one copy is present, therefore, it cannot be properly referred to as split. I personally believe that the gene cannot normally hide, based upon my understanding of what is known about dominant white.
Lavender is different in htat it is a recessive gene. It is possible to breed so that one KNOWS a bird is split to lav; it is also possible to breed so that the bird might or might not be split to lav. In my opinion, one should never state that a bird is split to something unless one is 100% CERTAIN that the bird carries a copy of the gene. If the bird might, or moght not be split, the only way it is appropriate to say that to a purchaser is in a complete conversation where the purchaser is made fully aware that there are no guarantees at all for that ellusive "split." Quite frankly, I probably would not mention it except to a knowledgeable breeder who I was certain understands the underlying principles.