Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[peepblessed]

One major difference between chicks brooded by a momma and those under the heat lamp is that the chicks with momma usually spend more time during those first few weeks in the cold than do chicks raised under a lamp, which spend ALL of their time under heat. At least the chicks with momma come out and wander around a fair amount. Being exposed to the cold makes them feather in more quickly, which might mean their muscles have to develop more quickly. Just a thought.

Looking at them, the outdoor chicks appeared to have less feather development but maybe they get more down feathers.

 

[peepblessed]

Interesting...I have 10 chicks in the brooder and 8 chicks under momma in the garage...so should I then take out the food from the brooder at night and replace each morning?

This could be an option if you are an early riser. Chicks wake up so hungry.

 

[peepblessed]

This is so interesting! I've often wondered what the advantages/disadvantages are of using a broody versus brooder. I have noticed that the chicks that are raised by my broodies tend to be more calm and friendly...no scientific evidence on that, just my observation.

I also turn off the light on my brooder at 4 weeks, mostly because they seem to be feathering out so well by that time that it doesn't seem like they need it. I turn it on at night if the temps drop too low (my brooder is in my garage where it usually stays about 20* warmer than outside). I leave the food in 24/7 and I have seen the little ones eating at night when the light has been off for several hours. I like to get the chickies outside as much as possible (natural vit D, fresh air, blah blah) so that is another one of the reasons I like to wean them off the light earlier - although last weekend when it was 75* they were all outside in their Rubbermade "travel brooder" with the light hooked up - couldn't pass it up!

Now I'll have to start keeping track of wings....hmmmm...so interesting!

I now move mine out at five weeks and give them a small light at night for another week. I went out to check on them after bed, 40 degrees out and they are huddled in the dark away from the light. They were used to sleeping in the dark and preferred it. Probably didn't need any light but it made me feel better.

 

[aoxa]

I now move mine out at five weeks and give them a small light at night for another week. I went out to check on them after bed, 40 degrees out and they are huddled in the dark away from the light. They were used to sleeping in the dark and preferred it. Probably didn't need any light but it made me feel better.

Interesting.. My silkies at 4 weeks are not feathered out enough to leave them without a heat lamp. In the summer I would stop at 4 weeks, but this time of year it is quite chilly..

My broody chicks are 7 weeks old and are still piling under mom.. There are 6 of them, and it's getting to be a tight squeeze.

 

[tiki244]

How early can you see if a bird has a weak wing? Can you tell as early as a week or two old?

Not in my experience.. They don't seem to reach full potential in the wings until week 16 in some. I've seen earlier, but at 20 weeks, if they show signs - I'd rehome them.. If not sooner.. If you care to check out my gallery of images. I have a progression of a silkie growing up. Phyllis.. She's not as great as some birds on here - that's a given. I do feel she has very strong wings though. She didn't always have such nice wings. They really started improving come 15 weeks or so.

Now.

Good info I was under the false assumption that I could tell this trait earlier and I think I wrote about it on the other silkies thread. I should keep my mouth shut and pay attention to all the excellent information on here by people that are . I am going to look at your pictures of Phyllis too. Thanx

 

[dwegg]

This could be an option if you are an early riser. Chicks wake up so hungry.

I took the feeder out of the brooder last night but woke up at 4 and felt really bad so I got up and put it back in...I don't think it really bothered them much either way!

But it will be interesting observations of what you guys suggested as I now have brooder chicks and hen raised chicks but both sets are in the garage in pens....I am glad they are as it is getting really cold here...they are a week apart in age so it will be interesting to watch them grow...

Also I have already noticed that the chicks with momma let me pick them up way more easier than the ones in the brooder...I thought it would be the opposite

 

[Hawkeye95]

Okay, I'm back from the ASBC E. Nationals. We did pretty good-- I didn't expect to win anything at all, so we're really happy with our placings. I met up with several other silkie ladies-- Bren from Birds of Paradise, Chris from Touchwood Silkies and several other ladies and of course, our Junior exhibitors! (my son included).

Blue Partridge, BV (Open) 2nd Place, Splash Pullet (my son-Juniors) 3rd Place, Splash Pullet (my son-Juniors)

1st Place, Splash Cockerel (my son) my son-- Intermediate Showmanship

Me. (Open) 2nd Place, Intermediate Showmanship

Oh-- Open Show: and I forgot to mention that my cockerels in Blue-- also placed 4th and 5th out of a large class.
I had a Splash pullet that placed 1st in her class as well.

 

[Adoravachick]

Okay, I'm back from the ASBC E. Nationals. We did pretty good-- I didn't expect to win anything at all, so we're really happy with our placings. I met up with several other silkie ladies-- Bren from Birds of Paradise, Chris from Touchwood Silkies and several other ladies and of course, our Junior exhibitors! (my son included).

Blue Partridge, BV 2nd Place, Splash Pullet (my son) 3rd Place, Splash Pullet (my son)

1st Place, Splash Cockerel (my son) my son-- Intermediate Showmanship

Me. 2nd Place, Intermediate Showmanship

Oh-- Open Show: and I forgot to mention that my cockerels in Blue-- also placed 4th and 5th out of a large class.
I had a Splash pullet that placed 1st in her class as well.

Congratulations! Oh, I bet it was soooo much fun. I am glad that you were able to go. Great job.

 

[dwegg]

Yes great job...I bet you had a great time...Thanks for the pics...you know we all love to see it...

 

[littlecritters]

Okay, I'm back from the ASBC E. Nationals.  We did pretty good-- I didn't expect to win anything at all, so we're really happy with our placings.  I met up with several other silkie ladies-- Bren from Birds of Paradise, Chris from Touchwood Silkies and several other ladies and of course, our Junior exhibitors!  (my son included).  

Blue Partridge, BV (Open)                  2nd Place, Splash Pullet (my son-Juniors)    3rd Place, Splash Pullet (my son-Juniors)

  

  

1st Place, Splash Cockerel (my son)     my son-- Intermediate Showmanship

  

  

Me.       (Open)                                       2nd Place, Intermediate Showmanship

  

Oh-- Open Show:  and I forgot to mention that my cockerels in Blue-- also placed 4th and 5th out of a large class.  
I had a Splash pullet that placed 1st in her class as well.

Congratulations to you and your son! What great results for your first Nationals!