lets talk silkes....i have questions

[Sonoran Silkies]

If your silkies cannot see, then you need to trim the feathers that block vision--this is usually NOT the crest itself (or at least not the part of it atop the head), but rather is the feathers that are in front of the eyes--next to the comb & beak. Muff feathers often will stick up and partially block vision.

If you hold your bird so that it's eyes are level with yours, you should be able to see them. If you can't see them, trim the feathers that are in the way. If you can see the eyes, the silkie can see. Baby nail scissors are good with their rounded end. You can also use hair tape to tie up the crest.

 

[Sharisr32]

I was with Alan and got a couple Blues from him - He was one of the big helpers I had when I first started very nice man ----

I am at the end of Ohio lol at the PA line -----

 

[LilPeeps]

Quote:
Although it's usually the bearded birds you see winning the silkie classes, nonbeardeds are becoming more popular. One even made it to Best FL at the silkie nationals at the Northeastern Poultry Congress back in Jan 08. That was definately one of, if not the best, silkies I've seen, bearded or nonbearded.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Beaded silkies usually have much fuller crests than non-bearded, but I saw one, and have seen photos of others that have nice full crests--gorgeous!

Both beared and non-bearded are recognised for the same seven colours/patterns, giving a total of 14 recognised varieties.

There really is no overall preferance of one versus the other, but the bearded are more popular in this country. Because of that I believe that the bearded have received more interest and therefore been developed further than the non-beared ones. They each have their charms.

 

[BBK]

wowzer.... ok it's bearded or non-bearded, but BOTH are exceptable?

and all silkies should have the same feet formation? no matter what's on top of their head, or bearded or non-bearded?

5 toes seperated evenly....no...the 5th toes needs to be seperated evenly with the 4th? not going the same direction?

feathers on all of them?

Slate skin, even whites?

a heavy topnot?

at this point SG are not a breed and cannot be shown?

good luck Sharisr32 at the show.
thanks
melinda

 

[Mrs MIA]

What about toe color? Is one white toe a DQ?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Yes, they are different varieties. Polish also come in bearded and non-bearded. RIR come in both single and rose combs.

and all silkies should have the same feet formation? no matter what's on top of their head, or bearded or non-bearded?

Yes

5 toes seperated evenly....no...the 5th toes needs to be seperated evenly with the 4th? not going the same direction?

You really need a standard; it explains the correct separation of the 5th toe.

feathers on all of them?

Ideally, yes; required on outer toes, lost points if not feathered on middle toes

Slate skin, even whites?

Actually, the standard says "mulberry or dark blue-violet" and describes shank and toe colour as bluish black or slaty blue, depending on the variety.

a heavy topnot?

The standard says "medium size, soft and full"

at this point SG are not a breed and cannot be shown?

Those working on them are working towards a new variety of silkie, not towards a new breed. This differs from those working on sizzles who are working towards a new breed, not a new variety.

Any bird can be shown--you enter it as "Any Other Breed" or "Any Other Variety" as appropriate. Seramas are not a recognised breed and are shown. Showgirls are not a recognised variety and are shown.​

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

you should go on amazon/com and see if some one is selling a ABA or APA standard

and as for the showgirls they can be shown and not be picked champion feather legged
as that is the class the silkies in standard colors shows in

that means the champion silkie has to beat the other featherlegged breed champions for over all champion featherlegged

the show girls only compete with themselves and will get placed as such generally 1-5 place

Sizzle is a different ball game and they are different than a frizzleed bird

they will have a hard time becoming standard as is the show girl
because to be a standard breed or breed type
the people have to show at least 50 by 5 breeders and have the standard written up for the breed or breed type they are wanting to be standardized
Also they have to bring 5 yr history of their breeding the birds

this all goes before the standard committee and is really a hard road to hoe as the standard committee will have to pay to get the color pictures and put them in the standard at a cost for printing etc

so you see it is very hard to get new breeds or breed types standardized
I have spent several decades involved with this in the ABA and APA

I always insist that a new breeder buy a standard as it is a wise investment and a must for all that are going to show

any questions just email me I will try and help you

 

[LilPeeps]

The APA standard can be purchased on their site for $14 shipped.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Sonoran..thanks for all the info! I appreciate you correct errant information...that's how we all learn

I bought what I think is a nice black silkie hen from poultryhaven yesterday. I'll PM you with photos as soon as I take them and I'd like you to critique her for me. She is NB, seems to have great feet, a lovely face with the blackest eyes and very dark black feathers.

So do all the blacks have black combs??