Mike, this is my first year working with the silvers. I purchased them off another breeder as adults last summer. I will ask the breeder and see if she recalls how they feathered in...as for why I went with an outcross within the breed, I was simply working with what I had available.
There are not that many pure strains of Ameraucanas up here in the great white north, let alone ones based on sex linked silver. So when the opportunity presented itself to purchase a mature silver flock (and descendants of birds originally imported from John) I jumped at the chance. Am I going about this the wrong way? I realize it will take me a few generations to breed out wildtype (e+), but I figured outcrossing between the varieties will also help me to improve my silvers, as well as help keep type true.
No doubt finding a strain based on silver and test mating would be the easier road, but I don't think they exist here in Canada. And the majority of blue poultry I’ve seen (including my own flock) lack the necessary pattern genes to ever achieve true lacing. (Not without going outside the breed.) The best I can hope for is nice edging, which well pretty enough, isn’t the real deal. And I do want the real deal, and am slowly working towards it....
The formula I have down for lacing is: the pattern gene (Pg) melanotic (Ml) and Columbian (Co) in homozygous form; on either birchen (ER) or extended black (E), and preferably sex linked silver (S)
I've been following along with Christie's progress and would give my right toe to get my hands on a pair Blue Andalusian's like she is working with. Unfortunately I've found no breeders in my country or any willing to import into Canada....and so I trek on with what I have available.
I am considering using SL Wyandottes, but the yellow skin, brown eggshell genes and rose combs are making me hesitate. And for good reason, ugh...Just not a lot of other options...do you have any suggestions? I would love to hear some others if so. Thank you