Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[aoxa]

Many exhibitors spray their flocks both before and after a show.

I think they all should be required to!

I forgot the after part. A long weekend made for a tired mind. Everyone is settled and pest free now.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Mites can look black or red. I've also heard of white mites. Lice can also come in several colours, although my experience is mostly sort of tan.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: With only 20 birds, a bath in flea/tick shampoo is a very good idea.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Mites are not species specific. They will as happily search for blood on you, your cat, your dog, your canary, or sap in your trees. Lice, however are far more preferential. The only lice you have to worry about are ones that like birds. Not just chickens, but all birds. However, they are not interested in your cat, dog or your children's heads (a mistaken, but common concern).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Right up to the point you have transferred ownership, they are yours to keep. You can simply say that you have decided to keep them for now. (Knowing that tomorrow you may have a better person to give or sell them to). If something doesn't feel correct, you have the right to cancel the deal.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: I disagree. Polydactyly, like blue, has varying degrees of expression. Now if the bird has the extreme allele where virtually an entire extra foot is present, I would say not to use for breeding, but not with an extra toe. However, like everything, it really depends on the rest of your flock, and the bird's other traits. If you have plenty of other equally good options, sure, pass on the bird, but if that bird is otherwise the better choice, use it.

I'm curious .... would you be more inclined to use one that has 6 toes over one that has only 4 toes - all other things being equal?
Well, are we looking at a total of 12 toes versus 8? Or 11 versus 9? or some other combination? I guess if everything else was completely equal, I'd probably look at toe spacing and consider whether the siblings or parents had toe issues or not.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: And that reminds me to spray mine before they leave their cages

 

[aoxa]

And that reminds me to spray mine before they leave their cages 

I won't forget again, I'll tell you that!

Poor things...

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote: I disagree. Polydactyly, like blue, has varying degrees of expression. Now if the bird has the extreme allele where virtually an entire extra foot is present, I would say not to use for breeding, but not with an extra toe. However, like everything, it really depends on the rest of your flock, and the bird's other traits. If you have plenty of other equally good options, sure, pass on the bird, but if that bird is otherwise the better choice, use it.

I'm curious .... would you be more inclined to use one that has 6 toes over one that has only 4 toes - all other things being equal?
Well, are we looking at a total of 12 toes versus 8? Or 11 versus 9? or some other combination? I guess if everything else was completely equal, I'd probably look at toe spacing and consider whether the siblings or parents had toe issues or not.

Totally hypothetical in my case. I had one (split for lavender) with just 8 toes but he was a cull for other reasons as well so it didn't come up. But for future reference, just wondering if you felt more toes v. less suggested anything about genes. Nothing about your response that I find unreasonable. (I've got one with an extra toenail - correct number of toes - that even placed at a show. But since I know you have experience breeding, was just wondering what you might do with toes. And you've answered my question.

)