Which trait is the "easiest" to correct?

[Sonoran Silkies]

Some secondary (individual feather) patterns show only on females and henny feathered males. It is a difference in the appearance, not the genetic makeup. This is the case with penciling, which is the pattern seen in partridge variety females (and this is one of the three recognised varieties of chantecler--the other two are white and buff).

A partridge male of any breed should not have a penciled or laced breast; it happens, but does not match the standard.

Many breeders of partridge birds maintain two lines, one female and one male; breeding for the best females with a female line, and the best male colouring in the male line. Other breeders use a single line.

A pea comb carrries only the non-rosecomb gene: r+/r+. A cushion comb carries both pea and rose comb genes: P/P R/

Homozygous rose comb birds have lowered fertility, so some breeders deliberately maintain birds het for rose comb or even lacking it entirely.

 

[cybercat]

Can't help you on comb but I can on the pattern. One thing to remember that is very important with the partridge pattern it does NOT show fully until after first real moult. Which means is you are trying to cull pullets then you might be loosing out. Many times with this pattern it changes alot over one year. Bars will change and muddiness will clear up. Also if you have some stipling going on that can also disappear with the first true moult. If you can hold on to your girls until they are over 1 year of age and go threw that big moult. That is the only way to tell what there real pattern will be. It is one reason there are not many breeders of this pattern in any of the breeds that have them because you must wait so long to see real pattern of the chicken.

Aother thought if your girls have correct body type or not. Choose the ones that do or are closest to it. Body changes take longer than comb and pattern for you are changing bone. You do not mention Shelley if you are breeding for show or just to improve the lines you have now. If you are not doing it for show you have alot more lee way than if you are doing it for show.

 

[Wynette]

Shelley, I really think you're on the right track with your thoughts on the Chanties. You have good stock to begin with, so I'd think it shouldn't take long to get where you'd like to be with them! They're VERY pretty birds!

The only thing with combs that I find a bugger to correct is single comb issues (like side sprigs). But, singles are a whole different story than what you're working with! BEST of luck to you!

 

[shelleyb1969]

cybercat: I am working to improve the stock that I have. I do not show, but I do want to have birds that meet standards. I'm just trying to make improvements one step at a time. Fortunately, I'm not in any real big rush to "finish" my Chantecler stock, so I don't mind how long I have to work with them.

Wynette: Thank you so much! This year is going to be a lot of work for me with all of my different breeds. All of my standard breeds can use some improvement in one area or another, so I've just got to stay focused on one thing at a time with each of them.

I don't plan on culling any of my current girls until this summer. By then, they all should be through a first molt and showing their true colors.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
With that reply, I would say work on the more important issues first--you don't want to end up with birds who have perfect combs or plumage patterns, but are completely wrong in every other way

As cybercat said, first deal with type, and make sure that is correct. Then work on issues such as comb or pattern.