Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: I misread. When you said "toe nails are white," I read "toes are white." That could be pigment holes. White feathers aren't.

Breeder quality is kind of hard to get a handle on. Some birds produce very good offspring, but for some reason don;t show as well themselves. And some birds that show really well don;t produce offspring that are as good as they are. It is partly how they are paired in your breeding pens, taking into account their specific geneset and a very unscientific dose of good luck. Breeder quality birds may fare well in smaller shows with less stiff competition, or they may have disqualifications that prevent them from doing well at a show (for example incorrect number of toes).

Show quality means at the very least that the bird is reasonably close to the standard and has no disqualifications. But it can mean a near perfect bird. And everything in between.

 

[ChicksNherps]

I misread. When you said "toe nails are white," I read "toes are white." That could be pigment holes. White feathers aren't.

Breeder quality is kind of hard to get a handle on. Some birds produce very good offspring, but for some reason don;t show as well themselves. And some birds that show really well don;t produce offspring that are as good as they are. It is partly how they are paired in your breeding pens, taking into account their specific geneset and a very unscientific dose of good luck. Breeder quality birds may fare well in smaller shows with less stiff competition, or they may have disqualifications that prevent them from doing well at a show (for example incorrect number of toes).

Show quality means at the very least that the bird is reasonably close to the standard and has no disqualifications. But it can mean a near perfect bird. And everything in between.

off topic, just I just put 2 and 2 together! I have been on vacation here in scottsdale since last saturday and didn't even figure your username into your location haha!

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

We lost our Black show hen this morning. She was a little quiet yesterday, more so than unsual. I went out to feed this morning and she has passed away in her pen. We are just sick

R.I.P. Isadora.

I am really sorry

Do you know why she died? How old was she?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yep; Sonoran Desert

 

[Adoravachick]

I am really sorry

Do you know why she died? How old was she?

Thank you . I don't know what happened to her. She wasn't sick. In fact, she never even got mites like the rest of the flock. She just wasn't as chipper as usual (she's always been a quiet girl) that afternoon, and then by the next morning, she had died.. I bought her back in September and I was told that she was 2 years old, but she never layed, I figured it was due to her molting. I just don't know what happened, I didn't see a thing wrong with her. I would almost feel better if I had found SOMETHING, but the fact that her death is unexplained is driving me crazy.

 

[Adoravachick]

On another note, I went down to the barn and got some new photos...This guy jumped out at me. I would like some honest opinions on him, I am thinking of selling him because I already have a lovely blue breeding cock bird, but he is surprising me.


He has assumed the "I want to show off" wing position. He's been trying to breed my d'uccle hen.

 

[SilkiesForEver]

Hello.

I'm wondering what you think of my Silkies?
White cockerel. Won BV at both our county and State fair.













Buff non bearded Silkie pullet. Won BV at state fair.










Blue Silkie/Sizzle pullet. Won BV, BB, and Res. Feather leg at state fair.






Buff Silkie, same as on top.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I don;t really care for the white, but the buff and blue are very nice!

 

[peepblessed]

On another note, I went down to the barn and got some new photos...This guy jumped out at me. I would like some honest opinions on him, I am thinking of selling him because I already have a lovely blue breeding cock bird, but he is surprising me.


He has assumed the "I want to show off" wing position. He's been trying to breed my d'uccle hen.

How old is he?

 

[Adoravachick]

How old is he?

I believe he is between 6 and 7 months old. He crowed this afternoon for the first time, sounded like someone was ringing his neck as he did it. It cracked me up.