about silkie bantam: Hair plugs

[kmakani]

Supposedly this breeder only breeds traditional or specific breeds such as Rhode Island Red, Americuana, Australorps, and Plymouth Rock. She sounds pretty informative, I'll ask her about "Easter Eggers" vs true Americuana tomorrow. Not ever going through a pet store again!

 

[kmakani]

Sorry , spelled it wrong again...

 

[imfowl]

I wanted to get silkies from a hatchery this spring, but I didn't know they were different. Where would I get silkies from to make sure I dont get a bald-headed one? What is a SQ bird?

 

[LilPeeps]

SQ is show quality, BQ is breeder quality, and PQ is pet quality.

Show quality means that the bird does not have any DQs (disqualifiactions) or major faults according to the Standard of Perfection, and could do well in a show. Having SQ stock does not necessarily mean their offspring will be SQ; they can produce anything from show winning birds to birds that rival hatchery stock.

Breeder quality birds may have a DQ and/or defects (such as lack of foot feathering down the middle toe on a silkie), but not necessarily. Sometimes it's just that the birds type is a little off. They wouldn't do too well in a show, but there is the potential to produce SQ offspring.

Pet quality is what you would find coming from a hatchery. These birds usually have multiple DQs and defects, traits that should not be bred into exhibition lines (like split wing, wry tail, or a crooked beak). They often have poor type, although this is not always the case. Depending on who you speak with, some DQs (such as missing toes or a single comb on a silkie) wouldn't necessarily deem a bird to be PQ if the bird has a decent type, etc and may be seen as being BQ.

If you're looking for BQ or SQ birds, find a breeder breeding to the standard, as hatcheries breed for quantity not quality.