Trying to weigh in on the earlier mention of extra toes in silkies. It is quite common for silkies to have too few or too many toes, even when both parents have the correct number. It is usually fairly easy to correct the toes by breeding to partners with the correct number. If the bird with too many or too few toes is an otherwise nice bird and you have none better overall, I'd say go ahead and use it in breeding, but watch for results.
I am sure there are people who remove those little extra toes or toenails, but I would not do it, nor would several silkie breeders I know. It seems to me it would be deceptive to sell such a bird knowing it had too many or too few toes. It may or may not throw offspring with the correct number of toes, but anyone who buys that bird should see it in its original, natural form.
I am sure there are people who remove those little extra toes or toenails, but I would not do it, nor would several silkie breeders I know. It seems to me it would be deceptive to sell such a bird knowing it had too many or too few toes. It may or may not throw offspring with the correct number of toes, but anyone who buys that bird should see it in its original, natural form.