Raising silkies for show :)

[PaigeHgibson]

My name is Paige i am new to BYC
on April 23rd i am getting my 1st batch of silkie chicks I had 2 pullets Stella and Luna when i was 12 but i lost those birds when a stray dog got my 2 pullets
its been about 4 years now and i am now showing my trumpeter pigeons all over VA and i would like to get into silkies again only this time for show
if anyone has any tips on showing silkies please let me know,
Thank you,
Paige

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Hi Paige. Welcome to BYC!

The first thing I would reccommend is to come join the American Silkie Bantam Club. Here is there link http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/

Also, since you want to breed them to show, your going to need a Standard. I have the APA Standard of Perfection but the ABA also has a Standard of Perfection.

Are you getting your chicks from a breeder or a hatchery? Hatchery birds are very poor examples of what the Silkie breed should look like.

 

[PaigeHgibson]

I am getting my birds from a breeder Don Davis he has gorgous silkies 5 toes , beards , and very puffy , i dont know much about the standard but i guess like with the pigeons i will hav to learn as i go

i love how docile the roosters seem to ,

im starting of with 5 babies and then keeping my best babies ,

I am thinking about buying a breeder pair of white silkies from him

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Don't let the whites have too much sun or yellow corn--both cause miscoloured feathers--particularly on the hackles. Avoid feed with marigold extract--it dyes the feathers yellow.

It is easier to keep them clean than to get a stained and dirty bird clean. Since the breeder raises birds that you like the quality and appearance of, ask him for advice.