Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Adoravachick]

You don't have much to worry about that comb. Very nice... it's a bit lighter on the sides???? Or maybe the picture. Seems to be a good shape and pretty good color. Is that a bit of red in it or not? If not, then he's fine! And his comb is nice and on the smaller side -- not hanging out huge. I doubt this silkie I saw was from TX. I was trying to get the picture uploaded from my phone and now we have to leave for the theatre (Lion King!). I'll get it posted when I get back. She was so pretty!!

Actually this color is pretty true, outdoor lighting and no flash. He has changed alot since I got him, his comb seems to have darkened a bit. I hate to be so critical of him because he does have some nice qualities, but if he's not suitable for breeding...it is what it is.

 

[peepblessed]

He's almost 5 months.

All my boy's start dropping their wings for the girls about that age. Pretty soon they forget to put them back up!

His comb has some horns I think. There will likely be some points deducted for that. Hopefully someone can tell you more. It also should be wider and shorter but I won't fault him to much for that since I don't have any perfect combs in my barn. I do have one boy with a super nice comb, but if it doesn't start growing he will probably be a dud in the breeding pen!

 

[peepblessed]

I used the least dusty available, non scented. You might get it at automotive shops too, as they use it to absorb oil. The kitty litter makes poop just roll of the bottoms of their feet, reduces staining, and helps to grow more foot feathers.. Check, and clean feet every day when you screen the litter.

Thanks! This sounds better than shavings for a show. Mine are on coarse sand and I love it.

 

[thedragonlady]

Thanks! This sounds better than shavings for a show. Mine are on coarse sand and I love it.

You will not be allowed to use kitty litter actually at the show. All birds must be bedded alike. Kitty litter makes less dust than sand. I've tried both. Silkies make enough dust! My birds were on KL 24/7 at home.

 

[littlecritters]

Thank you to TheDragonLady and Hawkeye for such detailed information on show prep, coop training, crest control(lol), kitty litter etc Your willingness to share is greatly appreciated! Thanks also to Sonoran for sticking with this thread and helping us! And I dont want to forget to mention PeepBlessed, as you have been very kind and helpful. Not everyone is willing to help newcomers and your collective expertise is invaluable.

This morning, I ran all over town trying to find hair tape. Most of the "kids" working in the drugstores looked at me strangely and couldn't quite understand why anyone would use hair tape. I had to explain that frozen orange juice cans, hair tape and pin curls were they way folks "set" their hair years ago...along with Dippity Doo for good measure.

In place of kitty litter, I have been using PDZ with great success. We have a poop board for our egg laying flock that is covered with PDZ and it takes 5 minutes (at most) to scoop it clean. I LOVE using PDZ! The mineral component in it neutralizes ammonia and eliminates odors. I even add PDZ to my cat litter pan in the house and it makes a huge difference. For our silkies we use shavings sprinkled with PDZ on top. I think PDZ would work nicely in a show coop.

DragonLady, in one post you mentioned a Jap show coop. Just wondering what size and style is that? And... how did you get little bows to stay in your silkie crests? My daughter would love to do that and I can't picture how to make it work.

Thanks again everyone for all your help!

 

[thedragonlady]

Thank you to TheDragonLady and Hawkeye for such detailed information on show prep, coop training, crest control(lol), kitty litter etc Your willingness to share is greatly appreciated! Thanks also to Sonoran for sticking with this thread and helping us! And I dont want to forget to mention PeepBlessed, as you have been very kind and helpful. Not everyone is willing to help newcomers and your collective expertise is invaluable.
This morning, I ran all over town trying to find hair tape. Most of the "kids" working in the drugstores looked at me strangely and couldn't quite understand why anyone would use hair tape. I had to explain that frozen orange juice cans, hair tape and pin curls were they way folks "set" their hair years ago...along with Dippity Doo for good measure.
In place of kitty litter, I have been using PDZ with great success. We have a poop board for our egg laying flock that is covered with PDZ and it takes 5 minutes (at most) to scoop it clean. I LOVE using PDZ! The mineral component in it neutralizes ammonia and eliminates odors. I even add PDZ to my cat litter pan in the house and it makes a huge difference. For our silkies we use shavings sprinkled with PDZ on top. I think PDZ would work nicely in a show coop.
DragonLady, in one post you mentioned a Jap show coop. Just wondering what size and style is that? And... how did you get little bows to stay in your silkie crests? My daughter would love to do that and I can't picture how to make it work.
Thanks again everyone for all your help!

Japanese Bantam show coops are larger...2 x2" feet wide and deep, by 2 + Ft. tall. They have more room than a 4 hole bantam coop. These come in sections of 2 holes, and they have doors that swing out, rather than doors that go up and down. Much easier to manage things with that door, and gives the birds more room at home. I added 2" sides to the floors to keep the KL in place. Mine are from Keipper Cooping Co.

PdZ would work combined with the kitty litter. I would not use it alone. I never had an odor problem as the coops were scooped at least once a day .

As for the bows...just didthat to drive the boys nuts! Since the crests were already up in tape, I just added a bow to the front.All it takes to put a crest up is one loop of tape. It is paper tape that does not stick to the feathers.I think J.+J makes it for wounds too. Comes in a blue dispenser.

 

[Fur N Feathers]

My thanks also. I have read every post at least twice!

I was wondering if there is anyone that could give me an opinion on a Silkie Rooster currently on my local craigslist? I am considering purchasing him, but I don't want to buy him if he isn't what I am striving for, the best quality possible - which I think most of us are trying for as well. I could PM the link to anyone that is interested in helping me. I would just post the link, but since I don't know the sellers and it isn't my chicken, I just feel uncomfortable doing that without their permission. Thanks!

 

[peepblessed]

My thanks also. I have read every post at least twice!

I was wondering if there is anyone that could give me an opinion on a Silkie Rooster currently on my local craigslist? I am considering purchasing him, but I don't want to buy him if he isn't what I am striving for, the best quality possible - which I think most of us are trying for as well. I could PM the link to anyone that is interested in helping me. I would just post the link, but since I don't know the sellers and it isn't my chicken, I just feel uncomfortable doing that without their permission. Thanks!

Just post the link on here.

 

[Fur N Feathers]

OK, I just don't want to offend or make anyone mad!

http://austin.craigslist.org/grd/3246156500.html

 

[racuda]

He has more hard feathers in his tail than I like, and his foot feathering is a little sparse.