My first Silkie ever! Is he Show Quality?

[SpeckledPullet]

Thanks Featherbaby! I thought he was nice, too.

What would you suggest I give him for feed? All I have ever owned in the past are laying hens. This is my first roo and possible show prospect. Any tips would be great on what diet he should be on.

In the meantime, I guess there is no use showing him unless he moults soon and the gold goes away... right?

 

[chickenlover54]

Quote:
The odds of him moulting out the gold is next to nothing

 

[robin416]

I think someone else on here had one with silver in his hackles like I've never seen. Seems that person showed her bird as an AOV.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Quote:
Robin, I am new to showing. What does AOV stand for? Is that Other Variety?

Is there any chance that the gold is due to too much sun? If he is housed where there is less sun, could that help for when he moults next?

Sorry if these are silly questions. Like I said, I am new to all of this so these are just ideas in my head.

 

[chickenlover54]

Quote:
Robin, I am new to showing. What does AOV stand for? Is that Other Variety?

Is there any chance that the gold is due to too much sun? If he is housed where there is less sun, could that help for when he moults next?

Sorry if these are silly questions. Like I said, I am new to all of this so these are just ideas in my head.

No, it is not due to too much sun and you can not show them as AOV

 

[averytds]

Quote:
He's better than our 1st ever Silkie entry. My DDs 1st Silkie ever entered was/is downright pitiful compared to our current stock and she placed third at one show and got a blue at her other. She was the only Silkie entered at either in at least the last 3 yrs. Had we taken her to state, she'd have been lucky to get a red. The other 4-H Silkies entered would have put her to shame. However, unless they've seriously upgraded from last year, if we enter our current stock in the 4-H group vs the opens we should knock the others down a ribbon color or two. In the opens I think they could hold their own. I didn't get these for $3/chick though.

We've made it a point to talk with any judges willing after every show no matter how well we did or didn't do and to seek out successful breeders at shows of the breeds we're interested in to learn more. They can offer so much more hands on information and explanation that merely reading the standards and looking at pics doesn't make clear for those of us completely new to poultry, exhibition or otherwise. They don't usually just tell you, they'll show you! By and large they are very friendly people and happy to help others getting a start. Haven't been bitten yet.

Worst case, you get a DQ. Depending on the show, competition and judge, maybe not even that. Easily worth it for what all you can learn. If you do get a DQ, so what. They just mark the cage card at all the shows I've been to with a DQ and why. They don't immediately banish you from the premises or bar you from speaking to anyone. Most times, the judge doesn't even know who the bird belongs to if you aren't also entering a showmanship competition.

Then.

Now! (Crummy camera and photographer. Pics don't do them justice.)

 

[robin416]

AOV is All other colors (V is varieties). Translated that means colors that are recognized by the APA and/or the ABA.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Thank you Averty! I love your then and now pictures, LOL.

I am on the fence about this guy. Now I am thinking I just need to sell him and try again with another Silkie

I don't have a lot of room here, so I can't really justify keeping him for breeding only.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

A question I would ask is whether the colour in his hackles is really gold versus brassy sunburned feathers? I cannot tell from the photos.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Robin, I am new to showing. What does AOV stand for? Is that Other Variety?

Is there any chance that the gold is due to too much sun? If he is housed where there is less sun, could that help for when he moults next?

Sorry if these are silly questions. Like I said, I am new to all of this so these are just ideas in my head.

No, it is not due to too much sun and you can not show them as AOV

I disagree. You can show anything. Whether you will get anywhere with it is another matter. And I cannot tell from hte photos where the brassiness is from old or sunburned feathers.