a converstion with a show breeder.

[chickendales]

Quote:
i would keep birds back for breeding and showing i dont show my breeders it nice to have bunch nice babies to raise up, u can get many nice birds from one breeding some well have better this and some well have better that you have keep some each to breed toward the perfect bird rember there is no such thing a perfect bird so you breeding toward the imposeable
if u build pens like link i posted other then have 2ft under the cage u can have grow out pens on the floor i would buy big garbage can to but feed and shaveing in u can store shaveing above cages to because silkies dont fly or roost

 

[minister man]

That is true, I hadn't thought about the fact that I could store extra things on top of the breeder pens, like extra chick founts, feed dishes ect.


In a 2x6 breeding pens I am thinking that I would mount the food and water on the outside, and make spots where they could reach out through. That would make more room in the pens, and I am thinking it would keep the pens dryer, since the water wouldn't be in there to get slopped around.

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
i use the quart cups for feeders and waters that can hang on inside or out side of cages
with showbirds well not want them sticking there heads in and out the holes
here some feeder and water i like to use allinks are from
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=901
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=888
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=710

 

[chickendales]

show bird waters
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=853
autmatic summer waters
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=11_60_63

 

[ultasol]

Quote:
Cull for early: 5 toes, entirely pink feet- pigment holes might fill in with age. Any cross beak or leg issue. That's it.

They look better when older, so for optimal fall entries hatch early. Very early.

 

[mibirder]

MM-

I think you're moving down a solid pathway. As you see, putting together the plan is an excellent design as it gets you thinking through a lot of the details. It also helps in presenting your ideas and questions to others as everything fits together and has a place in the plan.

Of course, the next step is to expect the unexpected. Even though you have an excellent plan, there will be things that will come up that will require a tweak here or there. With the plan, however, those little tweaks will keep you moving along the same path and limit the wander and bouncing from one direction to another.

Congratulations on the plan and keep us posted on how it goes!

Dave

 

[minister man]

so, on to the selection side of things...... I was thinking that I am suppose to select for the "best over all bird" but, in light of this conversation, I am now thinking differently.

So I should be selecting, of instance, a bird with "perfect feet", and if he was a little weaker in the comb department, then Find him a female or two that are very strong in comb, but maybe weaker in the feet area. I am thinking that it would be wrong to put a strong footed bird with a weak footed bird if they are both weak in the head.

Is this the kind of thing that we are talking about?

I know that you can only work on so many traits at one time, so which traits get you the most marks?

I am thinking Number 1 would be the shape or type of the bird,

what comes next? and after that?


thanks for all the help and encouragement,

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I can't tell from your thread whether you are trying to have a "business" or a "hobby". It sounds more like a business plan than a hobby of raising silkies for pleasure and showing.

For most hobbyist, we want the birds to live life to it's "silkie" fullest. For us, that means some ground to peck on during the day, dirt to dust bathe in and fresh air and sunshine on their backs. I can't imagine stuffing 4 females and a male into a 4 X 5 inside pen for their entire life. But I understand that others do this and I'm not judging. We all have to do what we feel is conscionable.

White silkies DO NOT have to be kept out of the sunlight. We are in Florida and our whites are out all day with access to their coop and a beach umbrella for shade in their turn out paddock. My whites are brilliantly white with no yellowing and we do show them. Shade is absolutely necessary but you would be surprise how much they stay out in the direct sun...even when it is HOT. Most of the "whiteness" in silkies is from striking a good balance of silver and gold genetic base in them. Too much gold and they yellow in their hackles/necks. Too much silver and they have a grayish/silver tint. (double gene silver). When you get a good balance of silver and gold, they will be white, white, white....

It is very easy to make turnout areas on the outside of the barn with a pop door for them to go out during the day. Quite inexpensive. They don't have to be huge areas, but enough that they can get out into the sunshine and fresh air. This will also assist in cutting down on airborne illnesses.

As for your "cull" list... many silkie chicks are hatched with some pink on their toes that completely melanizes in within a few weeks. I wouldn't cull for that right away. 8 or 9 toed chicks make great pets for other folks....

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
4ftx5f with 5 birds is 4 square feet per bird that is lots of room, they never said they wouldnt have out side areas, but i be first one to tell you i dont have out door pens i have cutt back on deaths from wild and domestic animals and freak storms buy 100% nock on wood, i have lot of windows that open with whire over them
also a good business plan well take u far even in a hobby

 

[chikincrazee]

We keep our birds inside too..just too many raptors and hungry coons and possums about....i take them out once and a while to scratch around.....they stay cleaner on wire but i cant bring myself to leave them on wire forever it seems so unnatural....i have fans and windows and lites for them all and automatic waterers so they never go without...they seem to thrive in small flocks of a half dozen or so...culling is a very personal subject....your plan looks great and soon i hope to read of you in Canada when i go up there ...mine love there scratch i feed them and all run over to their pen door waiting for their treat...enjoy your hobby....a fellow moved Canadian