Newbie needs pics & info on telling the quality of Cochins and Sikies!

[Vnctan]

I am just getting into breeding Bantam and Standard Cochins and Silkies and I need info on telling the difference between pet, breeding, and show quality birds. If anyone could post pics of SQ birds and why they are SQ and pet quality birds and why they are pet quality that would be great. I feel totally ignorant.

 

[Elite Silkies]

This is one of my pullets and I think she will do well in the Shows. She still has some filling out to do, so she'll look even better than this when she is completely matured.

This is my White Roo and he is also very nice. He is still maturing too.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
There should be a chicken under there somewhere...


Seriously though! That is hilarious! Thank you for posting that pic!

 

[SilkieTime]

See the heart shape on that rooster? Stunning!

 

[MaddiWilliams]

I am interested in learning the same things...
I have two Rooster Cochins, and I was wondering if someone could tell me which they think will end up being the better bird??


Roo 1:
Hatched in Jan of 2010 from McMurry

Roo 2:
Hatched March of 2010 from a local breeder

Any help would be awesome! I want to learn the differences and qualities of a good one so bad. Thanks!

Maddi Williams

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
There should be a chicken under there somewhere...


Seriously though! That is hilarious! Thank you for posting that pic!

I think she's under there somewhere!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

The hatchery bird is too tall for his body in my opinion, but I am not a cochin breeder.

*I* see that handsome silkie boy! He is looking away from the camera; don't you see that lovely turquoise earlobe?

 

[catwalk]

I reccommend going to shows to see what wins. If you have birds already, you can compare them to what you see, without bringing them. I brought mine to my first show, and the best that I owned were the worst entered! I learned a lot, but I think I should have waited to see what others had. Not everything at a show will be show quality, so wait until after the judging to see how everything placed. The judge sometimes writes on the cage card comments about his findings, and you may need some help in translating, as it is often abbreviations or shorthand. For example, "-W" will mean that the judge didn't like the bird's wing for some reason, and "+C" may be a compliment about the condition.

 

[MaddiWilliams]

Thats a good suggestion. I guess I need to find some shows in my area then!

Maddi

 

[Vnctan]

Can someone point out what about those birds makes them show quality?