Silkie Breeders: Toes?

[SundownWaterfowl]

What are you thoughts on toes? Spacing, etc?

Do you consider toe placement etc, on birds a very important factor, or not so much?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Many judges just look for 5 toes on each foot and don't give a hoot about placement. I believe that the spacing issue is something drummed up by sellers. I'm not talking about fused toes or almost no space between 4 and 5.

 

[robin416]

Like so many other things the Standard is what we should strive for in our birds. But if you have a bird with good toe spacing, shape and is a crappy bird over all but have one with poor toes and is outstanding I would choose the outstanding qualities. Pairing the bird with another with good toes can help correct the faults.

So the short answer is, yes it is important but don't throw the baby out with the bath water if the rest is awesome.

 

[HatTrickSilkies]

Quote:
AMEN

Edited to add that I would never breed from a bird with wrong # of toes, that should go without saying...

 

[silkieluver_07]

I have another question about toes... Some of my silkie chicks I've been hatching the outer toes has only half the length of the other two toes. What gene causes this?

 

[Elite Silkies]

I wouldn't cull for toe problems. A bird with incorrect toes can still throw correct toes. So that would be my last reason.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
AMEN

Edited to add that I would never breed from a bird with wrong # of toes, that should go without saying...

I would never breed a bird with more/less than 5 toes, or a dq with the toes like duck foot.

 

[LilPeeps]

Quote:
AMEN

Edited to add that I would never breed from a bird with wrong # of toes, that should go without saying...

Yep, I agree.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Bren and Ryanne both told me that I should not cull for toes alone, so I just try to go by what they teach me. They both have had 4 toed birds and get offspring with correct toes.

Just because a bird has 4 toes doesn't mean the offspring will.

 

[HatTrickSilkies]

Quote:
No, but it does mean ALL of the offspring will CARRY that gene. And that gene will continue to propagate as you breed.
Hidden genes and genetic 'surprises' aren't something I want in our line so I cull HARD. That's just my humble opinion.

~ Nikki