Looking for breed/showing info

[NewToFarming]

Thanks Hannah!
This where I need to go to shows and learn! I am not even sure what a good walnut comb looks like!!! I will try to get some decent pics of my guys and the newer chicks. Can you tell quality besides the obvious (like the 4 toes) when they are so young? One of my chicks was hatched with a very nice poof on his head already and the other two are not as pronounced yet. With the combs, how old are they when you can tell what their comb will be like?

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
For combs, you want a nicely rounded shaped comb, preferable wider than longer with a nice crease in the middle.

You can tell single combs at hatch it looks like a ridge. Here is a pic of a singlecomb on a started chick. (Disqualification)

This is what I call a "bubblegum comb" It looks like a wad on bubblegum stuck on the male's face. (Not desirable/Defect)

You want a nice dark mulberry tint or the darkest comb you can possibly get. Red combs like this are a DQ if they are too light. (He has a nice shape though, wider than longer)

A valuable saying to keep in mind is "Build the barn before you paint it" Type is #1 priority in my birds. As long as they have a walnut comb and its not too red, at this stage I'd hang onto them. Eventually you can start nitpicking on specific traits you want to breed for. This year I am focusing on combs and toe spacing since type on my birds is pretty good.

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
Silkies also are a slow maturing breed. A youngster at 5-6 months might look like a gangly teenager. If you give them at least 3 more months they really bloom. Once you get more experienced, you develop the eye for which birds are potential for showing. Sometimes one will fool you, but that's the game with silkies!

 

[NewToFarming]

Thanks Hannah!
I will really have to look over mine and see how they are compared to others!
Here are two closeups of two of the combs. I will have to try to get the other 2 pictures this weekend. But these two are bigger than the other two.

Animal

Bob

I had to post a pic of Phyllis for you! This is from your favorelle roo.

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
Animals comb has nice shape and color. I'd call him a grey since there technically isnt a variety called black splash. Bob looks okay but he has too much smut (black feathers) for a buff. The little faverolle cross is so cute! I have a pullet that looks almost exactly like her! We may be heading up past Harrisburg this weekend or the beginning of next week if your interested in the started silkies I have available.

 

[NewToFarming]

I know but Animal is like a negative splash!

Sammy has some smut but not near as much as Bob. But Bob and Sammy are such good roos though. Muppet is a late bloomer. He has a smaller comb so I am not real sure about him yet. He always seemed ganglier than the others but is now starting to fill out more.
Does your little pullet have super long toes? Phyllis has really long toes! LOL I named her Phyllis because she reminded me of Phyllis Diller. LOL
What started silkies will you have available? If I were to get more roos, I would need to work on a separate set up for them first. I don't think I could introduce another roo to these guys.
I am uncertain how I want to do the separate setup yet so I am still trying to decide which way might be best. I currently have my flock set up in a converted stall in the barn which I think is good because it is like double protection from predators and the weather. I have 4 more empty stalls so I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the same or do like a separate coop & run located away from the barn. I will have to think about this one. Any suggestions would be great but yes, send me some pics of what you would have available.
How do you have your grow out pens set up?

Not the greatest pics but one of my more recent ones of both Sammy & Muppet

Sammy

Muppet