Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[thedragonlady]

Well I thought I would give it a try. It makes sense to me in that the food is more bioavailable to the birds so you feed less and they produce less mess. It increases vitamin content too. I have found that by keeping it thick I don't have much problem. What I do is fill the bowl about three quarters and then top it off with crumbles/pellets. They start in on the dry and end up packing it down into the bowl and it ends up very compact, like a ferment cake. As long as I do this there is no beard mess. I also let my birds free-range on NICE days in an large xpen (actually several combined) that I move around like a tractor. I have an LGD that is wonderful at his job so I don't have to worry about anything preying on them. He goes after hawks too. Love that dog.

If you are seriously conditioning Silkies for showing, you will do better keeping them in show coops on kitty litter, and feeding them some freshly clipped grass, and alfalfa leaves for goodies.When they are digging in that fermented feed in the bottom of their cups, what is happening to their crests and beards ?

I have not seen a difference in feeding fermented feed. All you are doing is adding more moisture, and cutting down on feed consumption. I have tried it, and was not pleased. I also worry about pathogens growing during the summer months.

 

[PaintedFeathers]

If you are seriously conditioning Silkies for showing, you will do better keeping them in show coops on kitty litter, and feeding them some freshly clipped grass, and alfalfa leaves for goodies.When they are digging in that fermented feed in the bottom of their cups, what is happening to their crests and beards ?

I have not seen a difference in feeding fermented feed. All you are doing is adding more moisture, and cutting down on feed consumption. I have tried it, and was not pleased. I also worry about pathogens growing during the summer months.

FF is not supposed to grow mold, if it does, even in the summer, that's an indication you aren't doing it right. I like it, and yeah Snow gets messy but it washes right out

 

[blipit007]

I agree that there is probably some partridge in him...

The beauty you have as your avatar is gorgeous! I'm in love! What color is that?

 

[thedragonlady]

FF is not supposed to grow mold, if it does, even in the summer, that's an indication you aren't doing it right. I like it, and yeah Snow gets messy but it washes right out

I have had birds for over 50 years. I have been through the aflatoxin years , which were deadly. I really check my feed, especially any corn for smell, or signs of mold. If there is one spec of aflatoxin in a bag, you effectively spread it to everything when you wet it. That bag of feed, fed dry might kill one bird , but wet it , and you risk your whole flock.

My big Buff Orps don't want corn in the summer . They graze like cattle on good grass , and eat Flockraiser with Calf Manna. Once cold weather gets here, they'll start chowing down on rolled oats, BOSS, and scratch , in addition to Flockraiser , and good grass.

 

[chisNchickens]

If you are seriously conditioning Silkies for showing, you will do better keeping them in show coops on kitty litter, and feeding them some freshly clipped grass, and alfalfa leaves for goodies.When they are digging in that fermented feed in the bottom of their cups, what is happening to their crests and beards ?

I have not seen a difference in feeding fermented feed. All you are doing is adding more moisture, and cutting down on feed consumption. I have tried it, and was not pleased. I also worry about pathogens growing during the summer months.

I appreciate your advice, and it may be something I decide against at some point but there is more to it than just moistening it and cutting down on food consumption. Fermenting foods has been going on forever and not because it isn't beneficial. Also, the acidity prevents bacteria/pathogens from forming so that isn't an issue. The ferment "cake" I give to my birds is not worn by them - if it were I couldn't handle it. My silkies MUST be white. But conditioning to me means healthy and happy birds as well as pretty birds. I feel bad leaving them in show cages all day, day after day. A couple of hours on clean,dry grass is good for them and does no harm to foot feathers. So far so good.
http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.ca/p/fermented-feed.html

 

[chisNchickens]

DDL, I have a wing question for you. At what approximate age should you judge wings on a young bird? I am growing out several cockerels and the one I like the best thus far is carrying them lower than the others of the same age. They are almost five months...

 

[thedragonlady]

DDL, I have a wing question for you. At what approximate age should you judge wings on a young bird? I am growing out several cockerels and the one I like the best thus far is carrying them lower than the others of the same age. They are almost five months...

Is he bigger than the others ? Sometimes the slightly larger birds take a while to control their wings. If ALL his adult wing feathers are grown in, what you see at 6 months is pretty much it.

 

[alamb1]

My son had his first chicks to hatch. He's beyond excited! I'm not sure what color this one is. Thanks for your help!

 

[Tncowgirl1903]

hello everyone

 

[chisNchickens]

Is he bigger than the others ? Sometimes the slightly larger birds take a while to control their wings. If ALL his adult wing feathers are grown in, what you see at 6 months is pretty much it.

Yes he is the biggest. Not exactly the best thing as I like a smaller roo but I do love his shape. I will just keep an eye on those wings. Six months - good to know - thanks.