Gouldian Yellow/Blue Genetics

[gf3]

I need help with figuring out the genetics of a pair of gouldians; both cock and hen are redheaded, purple breasted, and yellow bodied.

I assumed that I would get all yellow chicks but that, of course, is not the case. Of the six chicks, two are yellow like the parents. The remaining four are white and beginning to color. Two are female silvers -light purple breasts and apricot heads. Other two are white still. I am new to this and may be completely incorrect, but here is what I have figured out so far:

For the cock: I think the male is single factor yellow split to blue. He has a clear yellow back and a blueish ring around the head. Single factors are usually green(ish) on the back so I think he is perhaps a lilac or split to lilac breast, which would account for the clear yellow back color. Does anyone know if single yellow bodied males can be clear yellow with a normal purple breast? I think if he was double yellow, the would have a pure white/grey ring around the head.

For the hen: Yellow spilt to blue.

What has thrown me off is that there are no blues in the chicks, at least that I can tell so far. Can blue fledglings be white in color? I think they would be a darker color as both chicks and fledglings. Statistically, the silvers should be a low percentage.

[debbie276]

You male looks like a DF to me in the picture and definitely PB.

To get Pastel Blue ("silver") the chicks will need to get a Pastel (yellow) and a Blue gene from each parent, so they would have 2 Pastel genes and 2 Blue genes.

Assuming no other hidden genes a RH.PB.Pastel/Blue pair will give you
males and hens that are; Pastel Blue, Pastel and Pastel/Blue

[gf3]

OK - Thanks Debbie. That does make more sense. I have checked this cross and as a DF yellow male, no blues will be visible, only silver and yellow. I guess I was incorrect that the blue line around the head in the male would indicating a SF yellow with a lilac breast. This will certainly make figuring future cross outcomes easier if DF and PB. Now I need to see if I can manage a mating with one of silvers to actually get [album][/album]a blue. Thanks again -