Gouldian oversimplifying blue/silver mutations?

[Mrs Potter]

In trying to decide what pair to begin with, I'm understanding that the blue/silver is an autosomal genetic defect which prevents the bird from properly metabolizing carotine which would normally lend the yellow color to both green and yellow birds. Am I correct in understanding that inherently, a blueback is actually a greenback with the genetic abnormality and a silver would be a genetically yellow bird with the carotine abnormality as well?
So if I want to breed for blue, I'm outcrossing to green and for silver, outcrossing to yellow? I will start with a pair of either yellow or green but in the future I probably want to breed for blue so would it be best to start with a pair of RH PB GB?

[Mrs Potter]

And I see now that I should ha e posted this to genetics.

[Sally]

Mrs Potter

I'll move this for you, but I can't answer your questions, I know nothing about Gouldian genetics. Hopefully someone who does will log on soon.

[Mrs Potter]

Thank you, Sally.

[birdclaws]

In trying to decide what pair to begin with, I'm understanding that the blue/silver is an autosomal genetic defect which prevents the bird from properly metabolizing carotine which would normally lend the yellow color to both green and yellow birds. Am I correct in understanding that inherently, a blueback is actually a greenback with the genetic abnormality and a silver would be a genetically yellow bird with the carotine abnormality as well?
So if I want to breed for blue, I'm outcrossing to green and for silver, outcrossing to yellow? I will start with a pair of either yellow or green but in the future I probably want to breed for blue so would it be best to start with a pair of RH PB GB?

Yes, you are correct. Blue is a mutation of green and silver is expression yellow on a genetically blue bird.

To get a blue bird, the mom and dad must have at least one blue gene. It's usually best to breed splits, so a blue paired with a green split to blue will give you a mix of green (all of which will be split to blue) and some visually blue birds.

There are a couple ways to create blue and silver birds, but to try and keep things most simple.... to get a silver you would have to pair a yellow split to blue to a visually silver or visually blue bird...however, to get the most silvers you would want to pair a yellow/blue to a visually silver. When pairing a yellow/blue to a blue, you would get a mix of green, dilute, pastel, blue and silver...

There are other ways and limits as you take in to account what the breast color does....but that's the easiest way to explain it without getting too confusing...which I may have already done.

[finchandlovebird]

I got 2 silvers from BH-YTB.PC/w.DFYB/b cock
and BH-YTB.WB.GB/b hen

[Mrs Potter]

Thanks, Brian. I suspected. So splitting a blue to a yellow gives you the possibility of silver if you breed the offspring to another split but also yellow and green. This makes sense. I appreciate your taking the time to answer!