silkie and showgirls roos, turned out DQ

[Sonoran Silkies]

A molt can make a huge difference in appearance, that's for sure--especially while it's in progress

The toe spacing is really no big deal. If the bird has five toes, that is all a judge cares about. For most breeders that is not a huge consideration--other traits are more important.

One question--could the off colour in the hackles be sunburn rather than silver or gold? (of course, the blue would often turn brassy, too) If sunburn is the case, after his molt is complete the hackles will be clear. Mated to a hen with very dark skin you will probably have better comb colour in at least some of the offspring.

 

[laughingllama75]

LOL, nope........no sunburn here. We have been covered in snow since the end of november, I don't think we've see the sun since.

Seriously though, these 2 boys have a pen inside the barn, they have not been out of it since probably early november.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Sunburn does not require heat--just exposure to UV. Once feathers are sunburned, they stay sunburned forever. Since he is just now molting, he has had those feathers for many months--certainly long enough ago that they could have been sunburned last August. However, you are the one who can actually see him, so I will defer to your assessment.

 

[laughingllama75]

Hmmmmm........ i will be waiting for those neck feathers to fall out and grow back. here's hoping. .....

 

[bayshorek9]

Hello , I have quite a few showgirls and is there actually a standard for skin color? I have blue skin and a mulberry colored skin. For me they aren't actually the same as silkies but in saying this I do want the same comb, 5 toes, body shape and feathers. But skin color we all should decide what we can live with...just thought as my best birds have mulberry colored skin. Frank at Bayshore