12/03/2024
That is a note from Samantha Spott about test breed. Interesting information for consideration.
I test breed my blues and blacks ideally to whites out of two Light grays to rule out Chinchilla carriers or self chins. If the white is truly out of 2 light grays they can't carry steel so it works to test breed for Steel too. I have also used Sandy to test breed for Steel. I can honestly say 95% of Blacks and Blues I've ever bought have carried either Steel or Chin or both.
So if breeding Blue or Black to a White out of two Light grays, their genotype should be A_BBccDDEE. If your Blue or Black carries Steel but not chin, you'll get gold-tipped steels. If they carry Chin you'll get Light Grays and/or Silver Tipped steels. Keep in mind, it can take several breedings for recessives or carried genes to pop up so if these things dont pop up in one test breeding its not a guarantee that they are clean. Ideally, if your Black or Blue is the desired true self and color correct you would get all Sandies.
If you breed Blue or Black to Sandy, you would hope to get all Sandies (Sandy cannot carry steel). If you get Steels in the litter (they would be gold tipped, if the sandy is color correct) then you know your Blue or black carries steel.
I have also used Light Grays to test breed to Blues and Blacks for Steel and Chin. A true Light Gray also cannot carry steel, so if you get Steels in the litter, your Blue or black carries it. Also, if your Blue or black does not carry Chin, you should only get sandy or gold-tipped Steels. If you get Light grays or Silver Tipped steels you know your Blues and blacks carry Chin.