I love this thread!
I have a question/observation. I too believe it wrong that BLR's that manifest a double dose of the blue gene (called "Splashes") should not be able to have their own class - and not be able to be shown and to win. Personally, I find the Splashes more attractive, and more visually stunning to look at, than most of the Blue Laced Red's - but then, that's just me, perhaps.
I also regret what seems to be a push to choose ever-darker red birds in the Gold Laced Wyandotte classes. I prefer the way the jet-black lacing contrasts with a lighter gold. I think that much of the visual the contrast is lost on black laced birds when it is combined with a deep red background. I think it is the CONTRAST that makes any laced Wyandotte look spectacular. To me, the attractiveness of all laced chickens diminishes - as the contrast between the inner feather and the outer feather colour diminishes. I think it's a big mistake to place "red-based" birds (those possessing a homozygous set of the "Mahogany" genes) higher in show placing than "gold-based" birds (meaning those lacking the double-does of the darkening Mahogany gene) - especially in a class known as the "Gold Laced" class. I think they look better the lighter and brighter the gold is in their inner feather - but, again, perhaps I'm an exception.
I have nothing against the Black-Laced Reds (as I think they should be called) - I just don't think they should be shown in the same class as GOLD-laced birds. Gold is beautiful - in itself. It doesn't need to be deep dark mahogany to look good - especially when contrasting with dark black lacing .
Finally, to be consistant in my preferences - I prefer Blue-Laced Reds to have a very deep, dark, rich red (double dose of the Mahogany gene) in their inner feathers - but prefer the tail feathers, hackles and lacing to be a lighter shade of blue (not the darker shades we so often see) in so many of the birds pictured and shown. Why? The answer - again - for me, is the preference for visual contrast. To me, the more contrast between the inner feather, and the laced part of the feather - the more I tend to like it. But, perhaps, I'm the exception again.
I have read the proposed standard for Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. I know that in discussions like this, there can be no right or wrong - only PREFERENCES.
So, knowing that - I'd like to ask everyone on this thread who may have an interest in the laced varieties of the Wyandotte (particularly the proposed new colour - the Blue Laced Red) what you personally PREFER to look at (personally speaking - NOT necessarily what you breed towards, or what is written) in regards to - BLRW`s, in Black Laced Reds, in Gold Laced and in any other colour you might feel inclined to comment on.
Thanks for ALL of your opinions on this.
Regards,
Brian
