Giant Silkie Project.

[MysteryChicken]

Well we will try natural crossing of course but AI maybe necessary for some crosses... really depends on size differences of parent stock and temperament of birds too.

This girl here we plan to breed. However she attacks roosters not hens just roosters and has broken the necks of 4 in the past. Therefore we house her separate. She is an example of why we might AI.
View attachment 2195389

We are raising chicks now so got a bit before we can pair birds... but the Maran rooster chick is nice sized and should develop into a large boy, he is a beast compared to other Maran chicks. The Brahman pullets are little monsters already... the Silkies that are most mature so far are all a bit large looking to me for bantams. The CX are developing nicely, good solid legs so far and active.

We will need to get Naked Necks to add the gene to the project. So first we will focus on Giant Silkies. I will see about finding either hatching eggs for Naked Necks or just wait till next year and order a few NN chicks along with some extra foundation stock in other breeds.

So pretty sure it will take a few years at least... maybe 5 or more but why not. We were already going to cross breed the CX and Brahmans for meat with other roosters.

She attacks roosters? That's crazy. I don't think she'd be a good candidate for the breeding project. For Silkies, you want a good docile bird.

They sell NN eggs on Ebay.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here's SnuggleBug, saying hello.
He's my other breeder for the project.

 

[black_cat]

I am totally following this thread now! I know nothing about silkies, or breeding....but the idea of a giant silkie appeals to me in the same way as maine coon cats....giant and floofy! I don't understand chicken genetics very well, but I am mainly here to see the pictures and progression of the giant silkie breeding.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I am totally following this thread now! I know nothing about silkies, or breeding....but the idea of a giant silkie appeals to me in the same way as maine coon cats....giant and floofy! I don't understand chicken genetics very well, but I am mainly here to see the pictures and progression of the giant silkie breeding.

Sounds good. A new update is coming on the 17th.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

She attacks roosters? That's crazy. I don't think she'd be a good candidate for the breeding project. For Silkies, you want a good docile bird.

They sell NN eggs on Ebay.

Surprised us too... she is a laying breed! Other than her hate of roosters she is a great hen. So we are curious to see if this is a trait we can adjust in her chicks with a carefully chosen rooster and AI her.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Surprised us too... she is a laying breed! Other than her hate of roosters she is a great hen. So we are curious to see if this is a trait we can adjust in her chicks with a carefully chosen rooster and AI her.

You'll just have to try it out then, & see if her offspring show any of the aggression she has towards roosters. I do also have feisty hens, but not that extreme.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Poof needs to finish moulting before I can use her for breeding. She's in heavy summer moult, she was the first one to start.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Update coming tomorrow.

 

[black_cat]

Update coming tomorrow.

Can't wait!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Can't wait!

You'll just have too.