Understanding the lavender gene

[Godiva]

So the only way to know if you have the split gene is to know the parents? If your split black is visually black then the only way to know is if you breed it or know the parentage? I LOVE these discussions! Great way to learn more! Thanks very much Chel for making that easier for newbies like me!

 

[sara]

Quote:
You are right

 

[Dilly's Guy- Dylan]

Here is a simple formula to use to create lavenders.

First outcross a quality black orp to a lavender (self Blue). Of those, choose
the male and females with the most orp like traits and breed them together.
Resulting in approx 25% lavender offspring. Pick out the lavenders with the
least outcrossed traits. Breed the best
lavender females with the best black orp male you can find and or the best
lavender male with best black orp females. Then you just basically repeat
the steps already taken until you have consistently bred out the outcross
characteristics.

Dylan

 

[wilds of pa]

Can also use good Black Cochins, Black Jersey Giants, Black Australorps..what ever type of lavender you seek to make or use to make.. etc..

Now the only problem is finding the correct lavender to use..
There aren't many "Large fowl lavenders" available to choose from..$$$

Then one must think about feather quality and other traits in there lavenders.....
Its not as easy as 1,2,3...Many things to consider....trust me i know....

Charlie

 

[eggchel]

Quote:
Gosh, your welcome, but really, I was only trying to understand it myself. Genetics are fascinating but sure can make my head spin. Now is when I miss all those brain cells that I destroyed during my youthful party days.

chel

Now, if someone will just explain to me how I managed to come up with a Welsummer X Tolbunt Polish hen that lays big blue eggs!

But...... that's another thread in the making.

 

[CountryMom]

Ok, so this is confusing to me. I asked just a couple of days ago on color genetics for black/blue/splash opringtons. One poster said a black would not carry a blue gene. Is lavendar the same as blue or is it another gene color all together? And if so how do you create it from black/blue stock? My understanding of color genetics is that there are dominate and recessive and that a blue parent and a black parent's offspring should carry one of each - blue/black or blue recessive from the black parent that has it hidden. AND, how in the world would a Buff Orpington affect the color of a blue or black? I am assuming that blue must be similar if not the same as Lavendar in this so correct me if I am wrong.

 

[MissPrissy]

Blue/Black/Splash is all together different from the Lavander, Country Mom.

It is different genes that create the colors. You cannot create it from BBS.

The gene that creates 'blue' and 'splash' is a mutation on the black gene that dilutes the color.

I can copy some of the pages explaining the color blue/black/splash but it gets confusing even to me LOL

 

[CountryMom]

Ok, that makes me more confused! LOL My color genetics background is in guinea pigs and a dilute of black is called lavendar. There is not a blue coloring in the US, so we don't have experience in that gene. From what I have read it is the mutation and lavendar is the dilute (even diluting the eye color from black to pink.) LOL There are different shades of lavendar in pigs also (all legal show coloring with the SOP) and from what I have seen of pictures of chickens the blues and lavendars seem just different shades. So yes, confusing. I was just curious as to what this lavendar gene comes from and if it came from the BBS. Obviously it is different. I think I have a grasp of coloring only to the point of causing myself more confusion! LOL

 

[Tuffoldhen]

From Blue/Black/Splash breedings you get a mix of colors depending on what color of rooster and hens you use... These lavenders are created from using a lavendar roo with Pure Black Orpingtons hens, these blacks are not from blue/black/splash stock that's my understanding but a separate color of pure black...

 

[CountryMom]

Dilly's Guy- Dylan :

Here is a simple formula to use to create lavenders.

First outcross a quality black orp to a lavender (self Blue). Of those, choose
the male and females with the most orp like traits and breed them together.
Resulting in approx 25% lavender offspring. Pick out the lavenders with the
least outcrossed traits. Breed the best
lavender females with the best black orp male you can find and or the best
lavender male with best black orp females. Then you just basically repeat
the steps already taken until you have consistently bred out the outcross
characteristics.

Dylan

So is line breeding in order here? Meaning taking offspring back to a parent possible to create your flock? I would think that would give you the best bet of more percentage of coloring you are working on. Is line breeding or any kind of inbreeding to create a flock a no no for chickens? I know in horses it is a no no, but other critters we have worked with it is a regular practice as long as you do not have a fault in that particular bloodline.​