I'm hoping that someone with a knowledge of pigeon genetics can help me with two questions. 1- So I have a high percentage of this years babies that are slate (or pencil as some call them). I haven't ever had them before from my pairs. Can a sickness experienced by the parents effect the...

http://eggbid.com/listings/details/index.cfm?itemnum=1249227828 I like the color of that bird :) They said it was slate, or is it faded? I'm assuming it is smokey, since faded would effect the tail bar and flights, right? Still, I've never seen a slate with bars that light before. Very pretty.