How do I get the red out a of silkie?

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I had the same problem with BBS ameraucanas that I bought from a VERY reputable breeder (also well known on BYC). Turns out that they have gold leakage issues. It is very frustrating when you think you have done your research and purchased the highest quality eggs possible. All three roos that hatched from that line showed the gold. The blue pullet resulting from that hatch is showing it by having really warm grey blue showing in some feathers. I ended up selling all three roos into Easter Egger flocks. The blue pullet is a favorite, so she'll likely end up in my EE pen. I'm waiting to see if her egg color redeems her enough to make it worth while to deal with the gold problem. Sigh.

I feel your pain.

 

[cottagegarden]

There is an thread somewhere recently where even Tuffoldhen (who has AWESOME birds) said that it can show up in the best lines.
I also got my cochins from a well known breeder with amazing birds. It just happens. You can still use him to breed pet quality chicks, but then the problem will be passed on to other people too. I feel for ya. You invest all that time and love into a bird...

It just happens, but it happens less when a breeder takes the time to grow out stock to maturity and check to see if there are
plumage problems. It happens more when people breed their birds the first time they start to lay and sell the eggs.
Of course, it is hard to check for b/c you have to do test breedings from everyone to know who the problem is coming from.
But, putting bad examples of a variety out in circulation benefits no one, and it is always hard to see people frustrated and dissapointed.



eta.. CGintheC-seen this problem with your breeder more than a few times now and its puzzling and dissapointing to me.
I hope you let them know, too. Sometimes people can't correct an issue if they dont know it is there.
You new roo is handsome and will go along way in helping the gals be predictable.​

 

[sutillman]

This is the only splash I have, so it will not be used for breeding. Just thought there would be some way to eventually get rid of the red.
I have another white roo from the same breeder who hatched with a straight comb. Did inform him about that. Just dissappointing when you think you are getting good breeding stock. But I'm new to this and learning as I go. I've decided it's best to get grown birds and then you know what you are getting. Of course when the eggs hatch you may still get some surprises since you don't always know what the other generations had lurking in their past. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Quote:
Yeah, I was pretty disappointed given the really positive image that they have. The eggs were expensive and had to travel a long way to get to me. I had about a 40% hatch and then three of the five turned into roos. Sigh. Then the gold leakage started. Thankfully, I ordered eggs from three different breeders as I planned my starting flock. The two main roos I have came from the Gardners and they are gorgeous. The Pips&Peeps eggs hatched out three pullets and the one black roo. All four are fabulous birds! I have culled out all but the one pullet from the gold leakage line and she is only here because she is a favorite. I will run a couple of test hatches with her and then decide what to do with her. Her egg color is really saturated (which is nice), but the color leans towards green more than I would like. We shall see.

sutillman- it IS disappointing when you have done all the research and spent good money for what you think will be a good product. There is always a risk with hatching eggs and yes, random genetic things can pop up. But still, it is frustrating.

 

[sutillman]

Well I have a wonderful buff pullet that I am working on a plan with, as well as some blacks that are looking promising. I would love to get into showing, but not sure if mine are good enough. Would anyone be willing to critique my silkies? They look good to me, but even the mutts look good to me, so I need another opinion.