Genetics (The Blues)

Self-Blue/ lavender-
The other blue is self-blue, aka lavender. Self blue or lavender lacks the lacing associated with Andalusian blues. Self blues are recessive to black. self blue to self blue = all self blue.

Andalusian Blue
The Andalusian blue family is composed of blue, black and splash.

Blues, blacks and splashes are all very compatible.

Blue is just a dilute of the black gene. splash is the most dilute in the blue family

Blue to Black cross yields: 50% each Blue and Black. Black x Black = 100% Black Blue x Blue = 50% Blue, 25% Black, and 25% Splash Splash x Black = 100% Blue Splash x Blue = 50% Blue, 50% Splash Splash x Splash = 100% Splash

Splash birds vary greatly in appearance from bird to bird. Some have patterns that are very bold and others are soft, almost porcelain in appearance. (See photo on left)Splash chicks start off an off white or yellow color and take some time for the pattern to develop.

In the Ameraucana breed splash birds are not recognized with the APA or the American Poultry Association and hence are not eligible to compete against recognized varieties.