What does "split" mean(for dummies please)

[Shannon's Chix]

I don't understand the whole split thing when someone is talking about colors such as blue black split or whatever. Could someone explain what this means in simple terms? Thanks so much!

 

[schellie69]

I am not sure but good question,

 

[scbatz33]

Split means that the bird carries the gene for what ever it is split for - ie lavender. So if you breed two split birds together you have a % likelihood of getting that trait to show.

I never can remember the breakdown of %

 

[LeBlackbird]

Yes, It means the bird was split to a resesive color, and carries genes for that variety. (Lavender, mottled etc...)

 

[hinkjc]

Split is not typically used referring to blue, since that is a dominant color. It is more often used for recessive colors - the split color gene is usually not visible yet, but if you breed for it you can get it to show visually on the plumage. Lavender and mottled are good examples.

 

[key west chick]

Good question since right now I have lav Ameraucanas hatching that are split. So far 2 have been born visually lavender, 2 solid black ones and 2 that are black with yellowish throats. Are the solid black ones just black and the ones that have some yellow are split? Anyway to tell which ones are split and will give me a better chance for more lavenders?

 

[LeBlackbird]

Yes, but sometimes Split mottled birds will show Incomplete mottling on their head/wings/feet areas

 

[georgialee]

Quote:
Do you know what the parents are? If it's a black bird (no split) bred to a lavender you'll get all black chicks ALL split to lavender - so if you breed the offspring back to the lavender parent you'll get 50% blacks split to lavender and 50% lavender.

On the other hand if the parents are black split to lavender and lavender you'll get what I posted above - 50% black split to lavender and 50% lavender.

Clear as mud?

eta: I just re-read your post so since you already have some lavender chicks that means the black parent is split to lavender so all of your black chicks will be split to lavender as well.

 

[key west chick]

I'm pretty sure the hens are split and so is the rooster. So will all the black chicks be split also?

 

[hinkjc]

If you breed split to split, you get approx 25% lav, 50% split and 25% straight black. There is no way to tell the difference between a straight black and a split black.