Is she still pure silkie

[Deenok]

I bought six silkies and they all have 5 toes on each foot but my white one only has 4. Just wondering if she is still pure bred.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I bought six silkies and they all have 5 toes on each foot but my white one only has 4. Just wondering if she is still pure bred.

Yes she looks to be pure Silkie. I have hatched pure silkies from from my own birds with a random four toes on one foot and five on the other.

 

[Deenok]

Yes she looks to be pure Silkie. I have hatched pure silkies from from my own birds with a random four toes on one foot and five on the other.

Thanks. Id love her either way but for 20 dollars per bird I had to know. Thanks

 

[THEChIcKeNwhisperer354]

I bought six silkies and they all have 5 toes on each foot but my white one only has 4. Just wondering if she is still pure bred.

Most of my silkies toes vary between 4-5 it has nothing to do with if they are pure bred or not. I'd say shes a pure.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

Thats a crazy price! I knew a breeder who occasionally had 4 toed birds pop up in her batches, although I can't give her a bunch of credit as a breeder as she was a fairly flaky person, but I assume it happens (genes can be kinda funky!) amount of toes doesn't usually matter as long as you're not trying to show her though <3

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thats a crazy price! I knew a breeder who occasionally had 4 toed birds pop up in her batches, although I can't give her a bunch of credit as a breeder as she was a fairly flaky person, but I assume it happens (genes can be kinda funky!) amount of toes doesn't usually matter as long as you're not trying to show her though <3

I agree, and I would not use this bird for breeding.

 

[Deenok]

I agree, and I would not use this bird for breeding.

Thanks they are simply our lovely pets. We just like good stock. Thanks y'all. I love our chickens.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Looks pure to me

 

[LynnaePB]

I agree with everyone looks pure to me as well!

4 toes is a fault but can pop up in even the best lines. Although it can be genetic it often has to do with how finicky the polydactyly gene is. Things like temperature fluctuations can affect the development of toes during early incubation. Four toes is not a trait that makes me automatically rule out a bird for breeding though it has to really shine in other areas to make up for it. It's an easier fix than a lot of faults (like poor type, slipped wings or certain color leakage).