Partridge Silkies - Nothing else

[HeritageHenNut]

Awwwwww! I love all Silkies with a passion -- the darn cutest productive useful little bantam breed IMO, although people say bantam Cochins are pretty great too. But me, I LOVE the Partridge Silkies! Any hint as to the sex of your little one yet?

That little one turned out to be a pullet.

 

[ChickenLady♡]

Here's some pics of my new babies - 7 weeks old.

 

[SheenaBee]

Hi all,
Couple questions I was hoping to find some answers for (without trying to scroll all 5000+ posts on this thread ). My son is doing poultry through 4H, and there’s a show in January... and neither of us have ever been to one! So we’re trying to figure out which is his best bird.
First is comb colour, I know red is bad, but how red is too red? Is this Roo’s comb that bad (yes he’s had a haircut before that pic, lol)? Just a decrease in points or a DQ? And what about underfluff showing through on their back/tail?

Or I’m thinking this pullet is a hen... the standard for partridge hens somewhat confuses me, lol. Is the colouring correct?

I’m sure my birds aren’t perfect specimens, but just trying to find the best out of what we have. Lol.

 

[Stacyoung13]

Hi all,
Couple questions I was hoping to find some answers for (without trying to scroll all 5000+ posts on this thread ). My son is doing poultry through 4H, and there’s a show in January... and neither of us have ever been to one! So we’re trying to figure out which is his best bird.
First is comb colour, I know red is bad, but how red is too red? Is this Roo’s comb that bad (yes he’s had a haircut before that pic, lol)? Just a decrease in points or a DQ? And what about underfluff showing through on their back/tail?

Or I’m thinking this pullet is a hen... the standard for partridge hens somewhat confuses me, lol. Is the colouring correct?

I’m sure my birds are perfect specimens, but just trying to find the best out of what we have. Lol.

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[Sylvester017]

Hi all,
Couple questions I was hoping to find some answers for (without trying to scroll all 5000+ posts on this thread ). My son is doing poultry through 4H, and there’s a show in January... and neither of us have ever been to one! So we’re trying to figure out which is his best bird.
First is comb colour, I know red is bad, but how red is too red? Is this Roo’s comb that bad (yes he’s had a haircut before that pic, lol)? Just a decrease in points or a DQ? And what about underfluff showing through on their back/tail?

Or I’m thinking this pullet is a hen... the standard for partridge hens somewhat confuses me, lol. Is the colouring correct?

I’m sure my birds are perfect specimens, but just trying to find the best out of what we have. Lol.

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You know, poultry judges are only human and prejudiced and have personal preferences, as I have attended several English Budgerigar shows, so I say, enter as many birds as you personally like that you feel meet SOP and see what happens. It's a cra*p shoot what a particular judge looks for and entering a show gives you the experience in future to know the judges and what each one looks for. Sometimes what one person thinks is a DQ another person doesn't -- so GL! Your birds are gorgeous!! Most Silkies (IMO) are their most gorgeous at 9 months to 12 months old but again that's just me! I've also seen some beauties at 2 yrs old! All depends so don't stress about it and just GO FOR IT! And let us know how it goes or what you learned from the experience?

 

[Hinotori]

Silke disqualifications. Bright red comb, face, and wattles. Shanks not feathered down outer sides. Feathers not truly silky (except primaries, secondaries, leg, toe, and main tail feathers). Vulture hocks.

Then there are general disqualifications for all breeds. I think silkies as a breed only have big issues with split wing in that.

 

[Hinotori]

Other than that, I'd enter because the judge will mark any DQs and sometimes you can talk to them and get their opinion.

Your colors look fine. There are lighter and darker partridge. I have both in my flock.

 

[SheenaBee]

Thanks so much for the input . Maybe we’ll try and enter both and see how it pans out. I suppose it would be a good learning experience regardless of the outcome Greatly appreciated!

 

[Sylvester017]

Thanks so much for the input . Maybe we’ll try and enter both and see how it pans out. I suppose it would be a good learning experience regardless of the outcome Greatly appreciated!

Have fun! Drink in all the excitement (and boredom sometimes) as shows have their fast times and their lulls. The English Budgerigar shows we attended years ago were 3-day events so we only spot attended the first 2 days and stayed all day on the final day after judging (handicapped and old age prevented my spending 3 full days). There were so many categories for such tiny birds it boggles the imagination all the different sections of judging. Met some neat entrants and contacts perusing the rows of cages. We lost our last Budgies to old age and switched to chickens 8 yrs ago and poultry shows have not been on our agenda since we are not zoned for roos. So please share photos of yours and others' show entrants or winners. Silkies are such funny, sweet, gentle, spunky, gorgeous little personalities! GL!

 

[Sylvester017]

P.S. Forgot to mention -- quarantine your birds from the show for 30 days away from your home flock and re-aquaint yourself on bio-security regimen. With Newcastles being detected around the USA this year it's good bio-security practice whenever a group of different birds are brought together at shows -- but then, you probably already know that. Smiles!