Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Adoravachick]

I have a question for those of you who have been breeding for years...does temperament seem to be genetic? I have not read much on the subject pertaining to silkies, and am curious if any observations have been made by long time breeders. I ask because I have a pullet out of the same group who is very skittish, the others are not. She is a lovely SQ bird, (or was - a hawk just ripped her wing off) and I am wondering whether to even include her in my breeding program. I don't care for the skittish ones. I know as with many other traits, it is often a crap-shoot and one can probably hatch out sweet tempered birds from skittish ones and vice versa. Just thought I'd ask...

Good question...I've wondered myself. It will be interesting to see what other experiences have been.

 

[thedragonlady]

I have a question for those of you who have been breeding for years...does temperament seem to be genetic? I have not read much on the subject pertaining to silkies, and am curious if any observations have been made by long time breeders. I ask because I have a pullet out of the same group who is very skittish, the others are not. She is a lovely SQ bird, (or was - a hawk just ripped her wing off) and I am wondering whether to even include her in my breeding program. I don't care for the skittish ones. I know as with many other traits, it is often a crap-shoot and one can probably hatch out sweet tempered birds from skittish ones and vice versa. Just thought I'd ask...

The Silkie hen has long been known as a top setting hen. A skittish bird will not make a good setter. I've had judges say they wish Silkies would show more animation . My reply to this has always been, "Do you want scrambled eggs when you set them under a Silkie, or chicks ?" Food for thought.

 

[chisNchickens]

The Silkie hen has long been known as a top setting hen. A skittish bird will not make a good setter. I've had judges say they wish Silkies would show more animation . My reply to this has always been, "Do you want scrambled eggs when you set them under a Silkie, or chicks ?" Food for thought.

Good point, hadn't thought of that aspect. This particular bird is so skittish I cannot approach her in any way without her freaking and running, this scares the others and makes them wary until they realize it is me. I really love the sweet ones - I have a splash hen that just goes limp in my arms and will burrow her head up under my chin cooing and cuddling. THAT is what I want. Or at least a bird that can be picked up without having a heart attack. lol Temperament is certainly genetic to a greater extent in dogs I'm sure, but I believe I will exclude this bird from my program same as I would with a skittish dog.
Thank you DragonLady...

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

You need to clean and disinfect. It exploded because it was rotten, which means bacteria, which can spread to the other eggs and kill them.

I ended up removing it before going to bed. Thanks.

 

[fluffyfeathers]

She is very pretty. I do see similarities. Did yours have the red on the wings early on? Mine is all grey and white. Here is a more recent picture.

I hatched one just like that, here is what she looked like at around four months. I was told she was a splash/partri mix - expressing both splash and partridge coloring.

 

[peepblessed]

I have some eggs incubating but one "exploded"and stuck to the egg turner. Should I leave it in there or try to remove it?

I ended up removing it before going to bed. Thanks.

What a mess! I've heard of this happening but fortunately I haven't experienced it.

 

[peepblessed]

Yes, I am thinking of vaccinating my juveniles. I do have some chicks that I just hatched and more in the incubator, so I will be getting some vaccine just to get it out of the way. My question is, can my juveniles also be vaccinated? I have a pen of juvis ranging from 9 weeks to 16 weeks, can they be vaccinated as well?

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this ordeal. I can only imagine what a trial it must be...

 

[littlecritters]

Yes, I am thinking of vaccinating my juveniles.  I do have some chicks that I just hatched and more in the incubator, so I will be getting some vaccine just to get it out of the way.  My question is, can my juveniles also be vaccinated?  I have a pen of juvis ranging from 9 weeks to 16 weeks, can they be vaccinated as well?

I believe that it is fine to vaccinate a bird of any age. Dr Peter Brown was expecting a big shipment of Mareks vaccine to arrive this last week. If you order from him, Doc should be able to gicpve you soemppme guidance. I've met him in person and he is very nice and helpful. Www.firststatevetsupply.com

I have a question for those of you who have been breeding for years...does temperament seem to be genetic?  I have not read much on the subject pertaining to silkies, and am curious if any observations have been made by long time breeders.  I ask because I have a pullet out of the same group who is very skittish, the others are not.  She is a lovely SQ bird, (or was - a hawk just ripped her wing off) and I am wondering whether to even include her in my breeding program.  I don't care for the skittish ones.  I know as with many other traits, it is often a crap-shoot and one can probably hatch out sweet tempered birds from skittish ones and vice versa.  Just thought I'd ask...

I have wondered the same thing. We have 2 blacks that came from the same breeder hatched in 5/20/12. I have come to kearn that their daddy roo was a bit mean and so was his dad (the grandfather roo). Our black pullet has mellowed out and is fine but her brother is a different story. He is not mean but is very skittish when i step into his pen, doesnt want to be held and acts like the world is ending. Once in my arms he calms down. Seeing that this roo is the third in a line of blacks that has behavior issues on the male side, my feeling is that temperament can be passed down...but it also can get better with each subsequent generation.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Not an easy question to answer ....

I believe temperament IS genetic but there are so many variables. Sometimes they come out seeming more like aunts and uncles to me than the parents. I also think a huge amount of temperament can be altered by early experience and handling. For example, I find broody raised babies are often more reactive but that just makes sense since they have to react to survive. I think my advice would be, if you have a bird that you think might be worthy of moving forward with but you are concerned about her 'flighty' temperament, try a small hatch first and make sure to handle that/those chicks multiple times daily and bribe them with treats from the beginning to get them used to being handled. Also, make sure they are exposed to noise and lights and things that might tend to set a chicken off. Skittish isn't necessarily bad. It has survival value. The only concern is, can you get the bird to a point where you can work with it and, hopefully, even enjoy it.

 

[littlecritters]

Can the experienced breeders on here help outline what steps to take when someone suspects Mareks in a bird?

 I'm wondering:
1) should the bird in question be euthanized based on the symptoms of Mareks ?  
A. or should the bird be treated in hopes that she will recover?
                                                           
                                               
 2) if the bird is euthanized, should an autopsy be done? 


3) due to the holidays, if an autopsy is not possible this week...
           A. should the bird be euthanized till next week 
           B. or is here a way to store the body till next week?


4) if the bird tests positive for Mareks...what should be done with the rest of the birds that were in contatc with her? 
          A. euthanize 
          B. wait and see if they develop symptoms 
         C. or vaccinate them 


5) lastly, what are the pros and cons to vaccinating yout flock for Mareks?



Thank you in advance for your help. Tina G.