I have two questions that I would like some input on....
1.If a Silver cockerel (Bantam in this case) is crossed to Black females what are you looking at in getting the resulting chicks back to the Silver standard and what direction should this take ? Breed the chicks back to the Silver sire ? How many generations ? I've never cross bred outside the color variety but know others have. So your experience would be appreciated.
2. The one major problem I see in the Bantam Ameraucanas...especially the males...is their wing carriage is too low. The Bantam SOP is clear about what it should be and from that we have lots of work to do. I have decided to make a real effort to correct this if possible in my flock. I see pictures from the UK and elsewhere that show birds with excellent correct wing carriage so I know its possible.
In looking at this situation I am trying to formulate a breeding plan to work on this particular problem. I would look for a cock that was right if there were enough Bantams available to produce such a bird. But even finding bantams is like looking for a needle in the haystack let alone finding one that truly meets the SOP in this area. Plus if I had such a bird I certainly would not let him go!
So, I will try to follow the plan laid out by Ralph Sturgeon in his book "Start From Where You Are With What You Have". My preliminary thought is this....I will take my very best male in type and cross him with the two or three females that have the tightest wing carriage. (I have a cockerel that is better than the others in this area and one or two hens that are much better than the other hens with their wing carriage)..Select out of those chicks for the tightest wing carriage and repeat the process. Goal being to come up with a cockerel that has the "correct" wing carriage....hopefully some hens as well. Somewhere about the third generation I should see some results if the process is following the right direction....
So, I would very much appreciate thoughts on the breeding direction that might be necessary (in either question 1 or 2). Thanks.
Peggy Taylor