Percent Show quality from SQ parents?

[Black Feather]

I think the key it to try and know your birds. It's kind of funny, but in many cases I can go to a fair and pick out the show quality birds from the non-show quality birds just by looking at the condition of the birds themselves. I find one of the differences in top breeders and people who just bring their birds to a fair is that the top breeders prepare their birds for the show, the others simply grab the birds out of the barnyard and bring them. A lot of the best birds are in perfect condition and health.

In my area a lot of the top breeders also show at some of the local fairs. One particular fair is nothing but some of the best breeders in my area, so to win at that fair is a big deal. I've seen a lot of fairs where the opposite was true too.

UC

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I think the exception to buying "SQ" birds/eggs is probably the silkies. It seems that they produce more 'throw backs" than most other breeds.

 

[country]

How old are they right now. You mentioned they were chick?

The first batch hatched Dec. 2 & the last batch was Dec. 14 so they're still babies. As far as I know, about all they can be checked for at this stage is 4/5th toe set & separation and foot/toe feathering. I can tell vaulted skulls also but not sure that means much as I've seen some non-vaulted with really nice crests. If anyone knows of any other faults or DQ's I can check them for at this age, please let me know.

My friend who is in his eighties, says out of 100 hatches, he ends up culling 95 or more to come up with his show birds.

My mind tells me that's probably the correct way to raise show birds, but my heart would never agree. I realize this means that I shouldn't even be involved in breeding/raising anything (except maybe mealworms), but I really love the Silkies & Sizzles & I'm having a great though frustrating time learning about genetics. I've been muddling along, striving toward improving our own little flock & selling or giving the culls to other chicken lovers who want some really cute & fun pets. But, maybe I'm just creating a lot of roadblocks for the really good breeders whose only goal is to improve the quality of the Silkie breed. Then again, those really good breeders are the ones that sold me the high priced eggs that are hatching out so many chicks with DQ's. I think I'd better quit this right now as I can probably go back & forth all day. I'm very good at using rationalization and/or denial to defend my actions. That's probably one of the reasons I end up with so many animals!

Besides, I've got a cold & my head is so stuffed up, I'm not even sure I'm making sense to myself, let alone anyone else!

Country​