6 toes on a Silkie??

[silkieluver_07]

Number of toes is very common in the hatchery silkies. My lavender pullet had 6 toes, and two of my buff had 4 toes. If you don't care about showing though, its no big deal. Silkies are a joy to raise.

 

[Scratchn By]

No, I'm sure I've got better things to worry about than whether or not one of my silkies has six toes or not. But, I do appreciate the lesson on silkie toes. Good fun... Still like to see one of those crazy footers!

All due respect for the poultry judges, but I'd never aspire to be one. For sure...

Now a barbecue judge! That's something I'd aspire to be!!!

Ya with me on this? I think so!

 

[MoodyChicken]

Supposedly, with careful selective breeding, Silkies will get more and more toes and start growing them off their legs! I so want one with a ton of toes all over its legs. lol. He'd be my mutant friend.

 

[Scratchn By]

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

6 toes are common, just as common as 4 toes....

 

[Scratchn By]

Not around here! Keep your mutants away from my babies!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

When your really going to have a problem is when you see a
Zygodactyl with a hook bill. Then you will know your parrot has visited the chicken barn.

 

[jimnjay]

I have hatched out birds from eggs I purchased with extra toes or some with no toe nails. The problem with breeding those birds is that the trait can be passed down and people buy hatching eggs are usually not very thrilled at having birds that hatch with DQs. I have also recently had birds hatch with deformed feet, in that the outer toe is excessivly small and webbed somewhat so it is held under the middle toe. I have found that these birds tend to be lame. It is best if you are trying to raise quality Silkies or any other breed to limit your breeding to birds to those without obvious defects. Silkies have so many exceptional traits it is really hard to get everything going in the right direction. A bird that is otherwise really nice can be used but I would not use the offspring that might have those issues to prevent further proliferation.

In talking to breeders that consistently get top dollar for their eggs, I have learned that being able to cull ANY substandard bird is necessary. If you can do that by giving them away as pets that is great. I have given away about 15 birds already this year and hope I can find homes for any others that don't come up to standard but I will not be using any that have any defect. It pops up so often that you never know exactly how if will affect your flock. It is all part of the learning process and striving to get those perfect birds.

I have had color in hackles, the toe issue and some beak issues and it is very frustrating to try to get all those thing out of your breeders.
and I end up with very few birds as keepers but the ones I do keep are going to be great one of these days. LOL

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

eh... on second thought, not really worth the effort.

 

[Scratchn By]

Valuable information jimnjay! I so enjoy reading information from knowledgeable people who've got something informative to share.

I'm sure, if you're interested in that perfect bird, you'll be highly concerned with all these things. We are truly, interested in anything that will affect the health of our birds and try to read up on such as often as possible. I will be investigating a lot of what you've talked about. Be assured.

I and a ton of our friends have our little Silkie pens and might sell a bird or two and some eggs now and then. But, I don't think any aspire to be true breeders. I think the fun has gone when I have to start culling birds due to minor defect (none life threatening...) that make them DQ. That's never going to happen.