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Post by Longtail1 on Dec 7, 2004 20:24:33 GMT -5
Can someone please explain the term "self blue" to me?
Thanks,
Rick
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Post by Kickingbird on Dec 11, 2004 8:40:08 GMT -5
Rick,
Self blue is a true breeding blue dun color. The gene that causes this color is called lavender and is in many breeds in Europe. Here in the states it is seen in OE Game Bantams and a few other bantam breeds (very few) but is not as wide spread.
The gene is recessive. Because of this it takes at least two generations of breeding to get the color established in a new line of birds, this may be one reason why not too many ppl here are working on taking this color to other breeds. After the color is set, if you breed two self blues together they will breed all self blues. However if you need to improve them by adding new blood you'll have two more generations before they are blue again.
Sorry it took so long to respond to this, I didn't see it until today.
Mark
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Post by drewsroo on Dec 15, 2004 19:18:07 GMT -5
So is the chicken pictured at the top of the site lavender? What would it take to introduce the lavender gene to a breed that doesn't have it? Is it too rare in this country to even think about trying? The only breeds I've seen it in have been auracanas from Britian (not really like the auracanas we have here), porcelain mille fleur, OE game and now this guy. I LOVE the color, it's breathtaking, way nicer than andalusian blue in my opinion. I know someone out there is working with the color, what are the chances of it being spread around someday? I would love a crack at it to try and work into my bantam polish. Or do I have my head in the clouds? Hey, a guy can dream, right? It would be nice to know how it "works" anyway... not looking for a handout here, just genuinely curious...
Thanks
Andrew
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Post by Kickingbird on Dec 15, 2004 21:37:53 GMT -5
Andrew, Breeding self blue polish is definetly a goal that can be obtained! The bird that is on the front page is NOT self blue, he is a blue dun which is like andalusian blue but with some modifiers that cause the blue in the neck and saddles to be light blue also instead of dark blue/black. I'm not exactly sure how this color is different than the dark blue but it is because I have chickens with both colors from the same family. To breed self blues you would take a self blue bird and breed your polish to it then take that generation and breed it back together. About 1/2 of the chicks would be self blue in the third generation. Then you pick the best polish type of these and start over again. After six generations you should have good self blue birds. All of this would be MUCH easier if you can find someone with similar intrest so you can swap blood after the first three generations of breeding.  Mark |
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Post by stanscrbirds on Dec 15, 2004 21:55:13 GMT -5
If you would send me your email address, I will send you pictures of the self blues, that we have here.
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Post by drewsroo on Dec 16, 2004 11:52:10 GMT -5
Does anyone have an opinion as to what would be the best cross for a Polish? I'm thinking rosecomb bantam... but I'm fairly new to this. I'm thinking I read somewhere that lavender exists in the rosecombs but maybe I'm mistaken... any rosecomb breeders out there who can help?  Andrew |
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Post by Kickingbird on Dec 17, 2004 0:05:37 GMT -5
Yes, Self blue rosecombs do exsist here in the states. It is up to you but I would use them or OE. Good luck!
Mark
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Post by drewsroo on Jan 5, 2005 23:36:29 GMT -5
Another few questions about lavender...
Is it sex-linked?
I don't think it is but I'm not sure.
It seems as though lots of folks get lavender, self-blue and andalusian blue all mixed up. (and get me mixed up in the process). What does the term "self blue" mean? I've heard it used to descibe a bird that is simply all blue. Like there are polish that are all blue (andalusian, not true breeding) that are referred to as "self-blue", but if I understand that term properly it should refer to the lavender, true breeding gene. Help, I'm confused...
Thanks, Andrew
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Post by Kickingbird on Jan 6, 2005 10:21:41 GMT -5
Andrew, Self blue refers to the ability of the blue to breed true. "True breeding" = "Self blue". Andalusian blue is generaly refered to as just "blue" and will breed, as you said, blue->black->and splash. Lavender is autosomal (not sexlinked) this means that the rooster and hen must carry two copies of the gene to show the blue color. Don't worry about being confused, I have a degree in poultry science and I still get confused sometimes. Many times it is due to the rampant mis-understanding in the fancy. The best thing you can do is keep asking questions and if something don't seem correct ask for references. I will warn you however, every time I ask for a reference ppl get offended because they think I distrust them.......don't worry about that either, if they are offended it is their problem not yours Mark |
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