The right shade of blue Orpington?

[fancyfeathers38]

Hi all,
I have just started breeding Blue Orpingtons to sell, and am a bit confused about what shade of blue they should be.
I have seen pictures of blue Orps that are more lavender in color and others that range all the way up to the darker shade like mine.
Is there a set shade for blue?
Is mine the right one and if not how would you go about lightening/darkening it?
Here is a pic.

Thanks in advance.

 

[galanie]

Generally you want the lighter shade. The standard calls for "slate grey" with a dark outline. That outline is basically the difference in blue and lavender. Lavender doesn't have the outline and the color is the same all over, whereas the blue should have a very definite outline to each feather and the neck feathers are darker. Also all the feathers need to be the same slate color, not lighter on one feather and darker on another. I have a blue like that. Good thing I never planned on showing this batch.

For shows, the lighter blue is what the judges want to see.

Most hatches will have some lighter and some darker blues. Select only the lighter blues to breed and you'll eventually get more and more of the lighter color with each hatch.

 

[nicalandia]

Quote:
I don't know the correct answer, BUT... your birds are of a exquisite Dark blue color.. I realy like light light blues like Henk's Platinum blue birds, but I love how Dark yours are too, I think I like extreems...

 

[fancyfeathers38]

Thanks galanie, its clearer now.

And thanks for your coments nicalandia.

 

[lildinkem]

I talked to Tom Kernan who won the BB at our Crossroads in Sumatras with his outstanding Blues. I ask him the exact same question. I am paraphrasing what he said. Tom, said you want the lighter colored Blues cause the lacing when properly developed will be eye popping with that lighter color.
This is a the reason I kept these 2 Blue hens. It was cause their the lightest and have the correct type I want.

 

[fancyfeathers38]

Wow, they are beutiful birdsl lildinkum!

Would you acieve this shade if I crossed my blues with lavender orps?
Does lavender lighten the color?

 

[galanie]

I am not expert enough to explain it all, but no. They are completely different genes. Crossing a lavender with a blue would result in a mess. You'd get the lighter color faster by simply picking out the lightest from each hatch. You could speed it up if you could find a lighter hen too but that goes without saying. If you put lavender in the mix, you'd dilute your chances of getting what you want rather than raise it.

 

[Wyogirl]

Quote:
BEAUTIFUL HENS!!!!!!!!!!
Ayda

 

[Stephanie739]

How do you think my new roo looks?

I just got him a few days ago (with the lovely brahma pullet beside him) Of course I think he is perfect

I am not too concerned about 'standards' because I'm not showing but it is a good idea to have a at least a limited understanding as I will breed some (probably) I actually want blue australorps (a main reason for my purchase of this roo!)

 

[Stephanie739]

He is only a few months old...not quite sure of exact age, but young.