First a quick hello! I am new to the board, but have been a lurker for a few years now. I currently have Brown reds, and they will be my main focus next year. I made the hard decision to get rid of most of my pet chickies, thus cutting my flock in half. But now I have more room, and more time to focus on two or three breeds (I just can\'t get rid of my BBS Jersey girls).
Now to the rambling questions:
I know that Brown Red is in the birchen family of markings (I hope I worded that right), but how is it different from Black gold and Copper Black? I know these are all the same gold based birchen pattern, but what is the difference genetically?
What color should the hackle and saddle feathers be in a Brown Red?
Which is worse (from a breeding standpoint)- too much lacing on the breast, or too little lacing?
How hard is it to get riding of light feather shafts?
Ok, that should be enough for all the gurus out there to chew on.
Thanks,
Amelia in Ky