Color on Silkie

[T.E.R.]

Can anyone tell me what causes gold to come out, around the neck on a black silkie rooster? Is it bad to keep for breeding?

Thanks,
Tony

 

[destiny_56085]

I'm sure Sonoran can give you the specifics of it genetically. Its like a leaky black gene. You can have an absolutely perfect speciman and then the gold starts to show up at about 6-8 months of age. It varies in the degree of what it is shown. It will pass on. Any cockerels out of this bird will exhibit the trait. Pullets out of it will carry the trait but not show it.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It is caused by hte lack of sufficient melanizers.

 

[FireTigeris]

What about on white? or is he just dirty?

 

[destiny_56085]

The yellow tinge or brassiness on white usually comes from feeding yellow corn or sun exposure.

 

[T.E.R.]

So should I can him for breeding,he is very awesome bird,one of best around here. Will this dq him at show?

 

[destiny_56085]

APA Black Color Standard

Color of Male and Female
PLUMAGE: The quill and surface of every feather in all sections of the plumage, over the entire body, pure black. The head, hackle, back, saddle, sickles, and the wing bows of the male should have a rich beetle green sheen. The female should also show some brilliance of feather in the head, hackle, back, cushion, and wing bows.

UNDERCOLOR: Dull black.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: More than one appearance of more than one half inch of positive white in any section of the plumage. Any appearance of any other color excepting varying shades of gray in the undercolor in any section of the plumage.

DEFECTS: Purple sheen or purple barring of plumage.

 

[destiny_56085]

So in other words...he would not be acceptable in the show ring. If he is perfect in all other ways then use him very selectively for breeding. You can expect to cull alot of pet quality/off-colored cockerels out of him. You may get some very awesome pullets, but just remember this trait will perpetuate in your flock if you keep those gals back. Finding a totally clear black rooster of good quality is almost like finding a needle in a haystack. It took me a long time and a deep checkbook to find one of them. I have him, 2 of his sons from last year, and also an amazing cockerel on loan from Premier.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
THnaks, as he's a rescue and I'm in FL likely both- he ranges now in a fenced yard.

 

[T.E.R.]

Thanks for the help, I really wanna breed him, I will try to post a pic of him seen what you think Destiny.
Tony