It surprises me that many exhibitors do not understand the genetic workings of the Blue bird and the importance of the real color of the bird.

Some basic facts are as follows:
Blue X Blue yields roughly 50% Blue, 25% Black, 25% Splash
Splash X Black yields 100% Blue
Blue X Black yields 50% Blue, 50% Black
Splash X Blue yields 50% Blue, 50% Splash
White X Black yields a mess #&$*@$!

Therefore if you want Blues in numbers I recommend a pen of your best Splash females with your best Black male. You can put these with Black females because you will get only Blue birds out of the Splash. I raise Blue X Blue to retrieve Splash females and to improve lacing and color.

What to breed for:
TYPE: same as Blacks--wide, short backs a must; broad chests.
HEAD: same as Black--fine combs with long, round leader; face free of white or gypsy; large, round, smooth ear lobes.
FEATHER QUALITY: same as Blacks--Wide-Wide-Wide.
COLOR: it is very important to breed for an even shade of Blue. I prefer a light shade of Blue with dark lacing on the females body and males chest. Male hackle a dark glossy blue free of red. Cull all these birds, especially Splash with red in the hackles and wing bows. Some Splash females will have lacing (look closely). These birds will produce nicely laced Blues. Here's hoping to see more BLUES.