Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Hawkeye95]

Loralee!! That is not a small crest! LOL To me, in this pic, that crest looks just about perfect. It's in proportion to the rest of her, and it isn't a giant bonnet falling over her face. Sometimes I think the tendency in this country to breed a larger, saucer-like crest is going too far. The poor birds need to be able to see. (Okay, having said that, those big crests can sure look pretty--I'll admit it.)

LOL!! I'm trying to keep up with the competition! And the judge from my Spring show said that her crest was too small! The judge I had at my summer show didn't say one way or the other, but he didn't like her enough to even place her in the hens. She is a blue, no leakage, I thought she would do a lot better. It was my little pullet--- that I just now think might have wry tail that placed-- and she has a much bigger crest. So I figured, the bigger the crest, the more they catch the judges eye. But yeah, I happen to like her. My rooster, when he was young had a HUGE crest (before his comb really came in and got streamers) and I really think he is the one responsible for my larger crests this year. But I'm not a fan of the bonnet look and the way it falls over-- but it would be nice to go just a smidge bigger than where I'm at now... maybe do better at our shows!

Or maybe our judges need to come to their senses and appreciate a bird who can see?

 

[Me & Jack]

LOL!! I'm trying to keep up with the competition! And the judge from my Spring show said that her crest was too small! The judge I had at my summer show didn't say one way or the other, but he didn't like her enough to even place her in the hens. She is a blue, no leakage, I thought she would do a lot better. It was my little pullet--- that I just now think might have wry tail that placed-- and she has a much bigger crest. So I figured, the bigger the crest, the more they catch the judges eye. But yeah, I happen to like her. My rooster, when he was young had a HUGE crest (before his comb really came in and got streamers) and I really think he is the one responsible for my larger crests this year. But I'm not a fan of the bonnet look and the way it falls over-- but it would be nice to go just a smidge bigger than where I'm at now... maybe do better at our shows!

Or maybe our judges need to come to their senses and appreciate a bird who can see?

I'll work on that with the judges after I get this split-wing thing sorted out. LOL (Which, btw, is looking interesting. Hope to have something to share with everyone in a few days.)

 

[Hawkeye95]

I'll work on that with the judges after I get this split-wing thing sorted out. LOL (Which, btw, is looking interesting. Hope to have something to share with everyone in a few days.)

Funny! Yeah, making the judges come to their senses?! hehe Okay, so I'm really excited to hear what you found out about the wings!!

 

[Adoravachick]

I love the normal chicken smell, honestly. But I'm your typical farm girl! Dirt smells like heaven to me. I can sit in the barn and sniff horses all day, too. I love the way they smell. I even like the way the cows smell! LOL I often pick up my silkies and hold them to my face and inhale. They stay pretty clean for me, but I have a nice clean run, too. I'm probably crazy, though.

.

Equine and Silkie De Toilette' - Ah nothing better, why does it smell so good?

 

[thedragonlady]

Just curious to know if you bred any other bantams besides Silkies in order to attain your Master Exhibitor status with the ABA.

I bred some nice Columbian Wys and a few SLWs, but most of my wins were with Silkies. I think I lack 4 to be a MB., but I gave my last 2 trios to Shorty when my mother was terminally ill. I wanted to see the line continue, and Shorty has done that.

 

[Me & Jack]

I bred some nice Columbian Wys and a few SLWs, but most of my wins were with Silkies. I think I lack 4 to be a MB., but I gave my last 2 trios to Shorty when my mother was terminally ill. I wanted to see the line continue, and Shorty has done that.

That's impressive to think you did it mostly with Silkies. I'm glad your birds did not "disappear" after you stopped showing them. Perhaps I might even be lucky to have some of your birds' genes in my Silkies since I have some offspring out of Shorty's birds.

 

[dwegg]

Well I have a lovely buff roo that looks round like a soccer ball but he does not have a huge crest either... but I am going to breed them as they are all I have right now...so you work with the best you have right...!

Great thread and am learning a lot from all silkie people. It is great to know that people with experience are willing to share their knowledge...thank you

 

[peepblessed]

I posted a photo of this 8 mth old pullet a couple of days ago for a wing evaluation so I could represent her correctly to a potential buyer. I was pretty sure she was over the weight limit as she looked so big next to the other pullet her age but I thought it was fat and extra fluff mostly. Well I weighed her for shipping and she weighs 3 lb 2.6 oz! I am so embarassed that I didn't know that before offering her for sale.

Now I'm wondering what the rest of my flock weighs! I know Hawkeye recently encourage everyone to weigh their birds but I haven't been able to. I just thought there might be others out here in silkie land that haven't done it and wanted to suggest you do.

 

[peepblessed]

I have a question on the large crest issue. I hatched this 4 mth old pullet from my own pair. The mom has a medium crest and dad fairly large. But this pullets crest is huge and still full of pin feathers. I have trimmed all around her eyes and muff and she sees very well but she never stops shaking her head and I'm wondering if it's because that huge crest is annoying? I'm about ready to cut it off! Does anyone know if a very large crest causes head shaking? I'm thinking I don't want to pass this trait on....

 

[aoxa]

I have a question on the large crest issue. I hatched this 4 mth old pullet from my own pair. The mom has a medium crest and dad fairly large. But this pullets crest is huge and still full of pin feathers. I have trimmed all around her eyes and muff and she sees very well but she never stops shaking her head and I'm wondering if it's because that huge crest is annoying? I'm about ready to cut it off! Does anyone know if a very large crest causes head shaking? I'm thinking I don't want to pass this trait on....

Could something else contribute to head shaking? I had a hen that had an ear infection and would do those motions.