My first Silkie ever! Is he Show Quality?

[SpeckledPullet]

I brought home a black Silkie roo from the swap meet today. I just love his personality. Owning a Silkie is not something I thought I would do. They've always seemed freaky to me, but I was looking for something I could show at the local fairs and I was pointed to this guy. From what I have read online, he seems to be of nice type. He does have a few brassy strands along his neck. How many points can he be decked for that? What are the chances that little bit of gold will moult out? He is 11 months old. Overall, does he seem to be of nice enough type to show?

Thanks!

 

[walkswithdog]

I don't know about the brassy point deduction and unfortunately his crest has been seriously mauled so that is really hard to judge, looks like it might grow out well. I do not know whether a comb that red is within the standard or not. One of the show people will know. I know I wouldn't breed a Sizzle with comb that red. I just gave away a pair of silkies with that mismark in their hackles and reddish faces.

I have two bald-headed silkie cockerals whose crests are growing back in after being torn out. It's frustrating. And they'll tell me if I'm wrong but his wing carriage doesn't appear to be quite parallel to the ground.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Thank you! I really appreciate the info. I was and still am worried about the gold on the neck. Its not horrible, but you can somewhat see it in the pics.

Do you mean the wings should be horizontal? Looking at the wing tip, it should be close to horizontal, right? Does the base of the wing have to also be carried parallel? I am learning (slowly) so all of this is great info.

Thanks!

 

[robin416]

Is his comb and wattles that red or is it the camera?

His comb is large and poorly shaped but that is an easy fix by using a hen with a good comb.

The gold could get worse over time, he's only 11 months old so with additional molts its liable to become more prevalent. Most breeders rehome birds that show that gold in their hackles.

I notice his eyes are a lighter brown, they should be dark brown but preferably black.

His eye shape is good, his wattles are small, that's good.

Is there a red feather at the bottom of his wing or is that the camera?

His wings look pretty good. We all want perfect wings but that's like winning the lottery.

He appears to have nice type, nice down.

If he has five toes, feathers to his third toe then he's a possible for shows. The plus to showing him is that the judge can help you decide what needs to be done if you were to get in to Silkies to improve on his faults.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Thank you Robin!

The camera is playing tricks. His eyes are actually darker and his comb is more of a purple color vs red. The second picture posted is more true to coloring for his comb/wattles and eyes. His feathering is all black, but for some green sheen in the tail and the slight gold in the neck feathers. He, for sure, doesn't have any red in the feathers. I had to use a flash and my camera is poor quality anyhow

I really want a new camera one of these days!

His toes are great. The extra toe turns back and up and is well separated. I need to double check his toe feathering, but I remember it looked correct.

So, when I go looking for hens, I should find hens with smaller, darker combs, and better coloring on the feathers?

I am sad to hear the gold on his neck might get worse!!! I was thinking it would get better. Ick!

 

[robin416]

That's why sometimes its best to ask if its the camera of the birds. So many times its the camera.

The reason that breeders don't keep males with that gold is the male progeny have a high probability of having it too.

 

[chickenlover54]

He will be DQed because he has gold in him

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Oh, no. Is that really a DQ? I thought they just took points off for it.

 

[NYREDS]

No, it would be a disqualification.

 

[featherbaby]

I saw him in person at the show today. He's a good breeder bird and may molt out the hackle feathers. He's tight and typy, his eyes are definitely darker than the photo shows. Considering what I've seen at shows, I think he'll do well. Concentrate on a good high protein diet and wait for the next molt before you get discouraged by the colored hackle. I think you got a good one for the money.