Understanding the lavender gene

[MissPrissy]

It is common and well accepted to line breed for traits in chickens. you don't have the genetic crash and burn like you do for other species.

Taking off spring and breeding them back to the parent is a way to perfect the trait you want to develop.

 

[CountryMom]

Quote:
Ok, I think that makes more sense the more I think on this. Somewhere I read that lavendar is the same as self blue. With that stuck in my mind it has confused me. So maybe that isn't true or is the blue/black/splash stock not considered self blue?

 

[CountryMom]

Thank you Missy Prissy. I figured it was done, but not sure because it isn't something of topic regularly. I know line breeding can be of great benefit to concentrate good genetics in certain species.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I'm not sure the stock from blue/black/splash are considered the self-blues...I know that I have gotten hatching eggs from some that consider their blues a separate breed from the BBS mix? Maybe someone else will know because I'm not certain....

 

[MissPrissy]

BBS are not self blues. Self blue is lavander.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

 

[Buster]

So you are saying that the black hens used to produce lavender colored chicks cannot be from BBS stock?

 

[wilds of pa]

On the darker note, line breeding can also be a disaster. if bad traits are present you will see them sooner or later..Also for inbreeding(pure brother and sister is and can be bad also..never tried in breeding but ive hered storys of the good and bad...Gues they say you should alway introduce new blood every 5 years or so..

Sure you can use any stock, but its best to use a good solid black trait to breed lavender into/with..

Charlie

 

[MissPrissy]

Right.

You want a pure solid black from undiluted black lines. The ones that are so shiney black they sheen green in the sunlight.

I am looking for some pure black eggs.

 

[CountryMom]

Thanks again ladies. This clears more up for me so I know not to expect or try to mix in lavendars into my new BBS adventure. Of course I have MONTHS to go before I have anything anyhow with just hatched bbs chicks! LOL

Now my daughter will have to read this whole posting as she is looking to figure out silkies and self blue has been of interest. She has a grey and 2 blacks now. Lavendar (self blue) should work out from what all everyone has said.