Buff Silkie Thread!

[leepshin]

Hi again,

I would really appreciate some help with a question that I have about this little hen. I would like some help to know if she is good type or not and how is her feathering. She is 5 and a half months old with a crocked beak because the incubator was a little bit to hot.(everyone says that her crocked beak won't be passed on to her chicks) Here are a few pictures of her:

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Are you asking if she is breeding worthy? In my opinion, no. She has a severely crossed beak, which may or may not have been an incubator issue. She may have trouble feeding herself after a while. Also, her wing feathers are rather hard, not shredded or silkie looking, and she is missing foot feathering. She also appears to have an incorrect toe placement. If it were my bird, she would be culled from the breeding pen. That's just me and my very limited experience with Silkies so far. Others may have a different point of view.

 

[kfchickenlady]

Quote:
Are you asking if she is breeding worthy? In my opinion, no. She has a severely crossed beak, which may or may not have been an incubator issue. She may have trouble feeding herself after a while. Also, her wing feathers are rather hard, not shredded or silkie looking, and she is missing foot feathering. She also appears to have an incorrect toe placement. If it were my bird, she would be culled from the breeding pen. That's just me and my very limited experience with Silkies so far. Others may have a different point of view.

This is my opinion as well, for what its worth. Im no expert though. I think she is very cute and would maybe make a lovely pet with special care. I have no experience w/ crossed beak so I cant say.

 

[racuda]

Quote:
Are you asking if she is breeding worthy? In my opinion, no. She has a severely crossed beak, which may or may not have been an incubator issue. She may have trouble feeding herself after a while. Also, her wing feathers are rather hard, not shredded or silkie looking, and she is missing foot feathering. She also appears to have an incorrect toe placement. If it were my bird, she would be culled from the breeding pen. That's just me and my very limited experience with Silkies so far. Others may have a different point of view.

This is my opinion as well, for what its worth. Im no expert though. I think she is very cute and would maybe make a lovely pet with special care. I have no experience w/ crossed beak so I cant say.

I also agree that the wing feathers are too hard and she is lacking in foot feathering.

I had a Silkie that hatched under a broody hen that had a crossed beak. None of the other chicks had it, so I don't think you can be so sure it was an incubation issue. My chick's beak got worse and worse and she could no longer eat or drink.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Since she is alread an adult, I doubt her beak will get worse, but it definitely needs trimming. Toes aren't perfect, but they are okay. I would not use her for breeding, but then I have a lot of birds to choose from. Several years ago, with fewer choices, I might have, but I would definitely have watched her chicks like a hawk looking for any signs of beak issues, and if any at all had issues, would have removed her from breeding pens. Still can make a nice pet or broody or eggs for eating, though.

 

[leepshin]

Thanks for your help everyone.

She has no problem with eating or drinking and is not under weight. I might bread her once or twice to see how her chicks turn out though.

 

[PamB]

Well, no one has posted on this buff thread in a few days, so I figured I'd share a couple pictures of my favorite buff chick. She is 2 1/2 months old. I took these pictures last night right before trimming her crest back for the THIRD time already! She is incredibly sweet and loves to snuggle.

 

[kfchickenlady]

Quote:
awww, how cute!

 

[racuda]

Here are my Sundown chicks. They are five weeks old.

http://photobucket.com/

I also have two from a different line. They are three weeks old:

 

[PamB]

Quote:
awww, how cute!

Thanks!