Deformed Silkie chick picture

[steffpeck]

Just make sure to breed her with a correct toed roo. Very cute!!

 

[HatTrickSilkies]

I agree with Michelle on this. Being a recessive gene, it's easy to 'forget' it is there when you get that first generation on the ground and they all have 5 toes. But know that EVERY bird from the 4-toed parent, carries the 4-toe gene and every buyer should know that as well. It's really not a trait you want to set in your line if you expect to move forward in your breeding.

Sadly, Murphy's Law usually dictates that a bird with a DQ like this (four toes, six toes, single comb) will be beautiful in every other way, but the reality is a bird with a DQ is worthless in a breeding program, unless you are desperate. And if you are desperate and need to use a DQ bird, then anything for several generations that you do not personally keep and use should be culled.

Of course if they are your personal pets then it really doesn't matter

Just my opinion,
~ Nikki

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Yes, but you can still use the bird to produce 5 toed chicks. And through selective breeding, and culling, you can decrease the amount of gene carriers that you get.

I'm not saying it should or should NOT be done, I just wanted her to know, NOT to discount the chick. Its going to have to be a personal choice, like I've previously stated.

Personally, if she ends up being a good bird, I'd use her, and cull in later generations.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Its not ALWAYS a desparaty issue...

I'm having to use a Lavender Roo with 4 toes to start my breeding program. Unfortunately the Lavender's are exclusive at this point, and not readily available, as I'm sure you're well aware.

I'm not desparate, but its all that was available when I was looking, and it's all that I could afford at the time.

I will cull heavily and selectively breed in future generations, but right now, its all I have to work with....

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Its not ALWAYS a desparaty issue...

I'm having to use a Lavender Roo with 4 toes to start my breeding program. Unfortunately the Lavender's are exclusive at this point, and not readily available, as I'm sure you're well aware.

I'm not desparate, but its all that was available when I was looking, and it's all that I could afford at the time.

I will cull heavily and selectively breed in future generations, but right now, its all I have to work with....

Then how do you know who to cull in future generations?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
I dont know how others who are more seasoned do it, but I will cull anything that he produces with four toes.

Hopefully by the third generation I will have a Pure Lavender cockeral that has correct toes, that I can replace him with. Once his replacement is put in the breeding pen, I will continue to cull anything that hatches with 4 toes.

Its going to be a lot of work, but its a necessary evil right now.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I dont know how others who are more seasoned do it, but I will cull anything that he produces with four toes.

Hopefully by the third generation I will have a Pure Lavender cockeral that has correct toes, that I can replace him with. Once his replacement is put in the breeding pen, I will continue to cull anything that hatches with 4 toes.

Its going to be a lot of work, but its a necessary evil right now.

Okay. Thats what I was thinking also.