Show life on a silkie?

[happyheart]

In general what is the show expectancy on a Silkie? Like a year old or two years? i would kinda like to start showing but I have never shown chickens only guinea pigs and their show life isnt't that long. Thanks so much

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Actually...there are breeders with other breeds that show until the bird dies.

Brahmas have a very long show life. The older they get...the better they get.

I would expect for Silkies to have a similar show life...but I can't wait to see what the breeders say.

 

[LilPeeps]

It depends on the bird...some bloom at 8 months and you might get a few really good shows then they're done, while others may be shown for many years.

 

[happyheart]

Now would birds generally be kept from free ranging and up off the ground in order to keep their feathers in tact and not get all yucky.
It seems like my girls are always into something and they always have dirty spots on them.

 

[LilPeeps]

They should be kept inside on very clean shavings so their foot feathers stay intact and relatively clean.

 

[happyheart]

Do you ever let the free range just get them exercise i think it keeps them happier when they get to get out of the pen for even a short time.

 

[LilPeeps]

In the off season (non show seasons) they are in breeding pens and are allowed to free range. Eight weeks before a show, I seperate the males from the females and get them conditioned for show.

 

[briarpatchfarms]

Im with you too going to show this year my silkies are ready to go this year YAY!

 

[happyheart]

I guess that would make perfect sense then I didnt think of it that way.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

It highly depends on the birds genetics, but other factors such as living condition, healthcare, NUTRITION etc all play into that equation. I've known people who have shown birds into their fifth and sixth year of life if not longer.