Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[peepblessed]

I also like your buff and blue. I am not a big fan of the comb of your cockerel but he is still a cutie

I agree. I love the buff and the blue.

I don't know if you remember, but this is the roo I bought for $10. Anyway, few weeks have gone and there are few things I am still unsure about him.
First there is his comb: It's very red and bumpy. I know it's not desirable trait, but does this mean I should cull (rehome) him?
Second, his wings.... they seem off to me.
Third, he walks very funny. I don't know if it's because he has gorgeous feet, lot of feathers, so it might be hard for him to walk or because he has vulture hocks.
Also, he is very quiet... maybe too quiet for my girls. I don't know if it's because he doesn't see well, but he is not active at all. He stays on the same spot for hours. I have to go and grab him, if not he would just stay and lay in the shaving

If you were me, would you rehome him.... Sincerely?

His comb is too light but the shape doesn't seem too bad. I don't see any horns. His wings definitely look off.

Which color will you say those chicks are?
I kinda see some lavender and some splash

What about this guy?


This one seems split (on the hackles) lavender?


To me, they all have the lavender gene. I understand that lavender is a recessive gene, but now here is when I get confused. What will happen if I all add them to my BBS pens. Will the offspring be BBS or splits or even funky colors? I believe the lightest one is a male and I am very skeptical on adding him to my BBS. Same thing with the one who I believed to be split/ lavender (last pic)

Only the light one looks self-blue. You wouldn't see it on the dark one. I personally wouldn't use self-blue in the BBS pen but it's been done a lot and if you keep accurate records so that you know who is carrying the lav gene you can get lav babies. Lav crossed to black is usually considered the best choice. Here's a quote from Sonoran on the subject.

"If both parents have one copy of lav, then about a quarter of the chicks will
inherit two copies of lavender; another quarter will inherit two copies of
not-lavender and the remaining half will inherit one copy of lavender and one
of not lavender. If the lavender chicks inherit one copy of blue, you can
call them lavender blue; if they inherit two copies of blue, call them
lavender splash; if they inherit two copies of not-blue, call them lavender.
Now your bggest problem here is distinguishing between the birds that are blue
or splash AND lavender and the ones who are blue or splash AND not-lavender.
Almost impossible to distinguish by appearance. Only the lavenders who are
pure for not-blue are easy to distinguish. And if you are not expecting them,
one might simply think that they are just a light blue, not realizong that they
are lavender."

 

[Adoravachick]

I agree. I love the buff and the blue.
His comb is too light but the shape doesn't seem too bad. I don't see any horns. His wings definitely look off.
Only the light one looks self-blue. You wouldn't see it on the dark one. I personally wouldn't use self-blue in the BBS pen but it's been done a lot and if you keep accurate records so that you know who is carrying the lav gene you can get lav babies. Lav crossed to black is usually considered the best choice. Here's a quote from Sonoran on the subject.

"If both parents have one copy of lav, then about a quarter of the chicks will
inherit two copies of lavender; another quarter will inherit two copies of
not-lavender and the remaining half will inherit one copy of lavender and one
of not lavender. If the lavender chicks inherit one copy of blue, you can
call them lavender blue; if they inherit two copies of blue, call them
lavender splash; if they inherit two copies of not-blue, call them lavender.
Now your bggest problem here is distinguishing between the birds that are blue
or splash AND lavender and the ones who are blue or splash AND not-lavender.
Almost impossible to distinguish by appearance. Only the lavenders who are
pure for not-blue are easy to distinguish. And if you are not expecting them,
one might simply think that they are just a light blue, not realizong that they
are lavender."

The wings look as if they may be in the beginning stages of "slipped wing"...

I am learning that its common for some to use lavender in their BBS pen, however, I would find it to be a bit of a workout to keep it all straight.

 

[Hawkeye95]

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.

Oh no, I am really so sorry you lost your silkie. She was beautiful.

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.

I like him, and I would wait to see how he matures. I would always keep a back up, too. I have a very small group of girls I'm breeding and two boys of every color for them. Although, the boys are all in a bachelor pen together until I need them. You could do that? I'd hang on to him for now and see what he looks like in the Spring. Then sell him if he doesn't live up to your expectations.

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.

So he's young! Definitely wait to see how he grows out.

I don't know if you remember, but this is the roo I bought for $10. Anyway, few weeks have gone and there are few things I am still unsure about him.
First there is his comb: It's very red and bumpy. I know it's not desirable trait, but does this mean I should cull (rehome) him?
Second, his wings.... they seem off to me.
Third, he walks very funny. I don't know if it's because he has gorgeous feet, lot of feathers, so it might be hard for him to walk or because he has vulture hocks.
Also, he is very quiet... maybe too quiet for my girls. I don't know if it's because he doesn't see well, but he is not active at all. He stays on the same spot for hours. I have to go and grab him, if not he would just stay and lay in the shaving

If you were me, would you rehome him.... Sincerely?

Too red of a comb, and he has some wing issues. Wings just don't breed out easily. But otherwise, he is really pretty--great crest and really great foot feathering! Seriously-- that foot feathering is like --WOW! Not the best of type, but not horrible, either. The walk you described sounds bad--- I think I know what you're talking about. That is usually a spine curvature issue-- like Wry back/tail. It effects how they walk. Does he sort of walk with with a shift from side to side? I made a video of one of mine that was really bad and exaggerated. Even a slight "waddle" probably means something is wrong with his back. Because of all of that, I wouldn't use him. But he would still make a great pet! He's a pretty boy. How old is he? Has he been having loose/runny poop? He might have a touch of cocci and just isn't feeling well. I'd probably treat for that if that sounds about right.

The wings look as if they may be in the beginning stages of "slipped wing"...

I am learning that its common for some to use lavender in their BBS pen, however, I would find it to be a bit of a workout to keep it all straight.

agreed on the wings.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

If only you were closer.
He sounds alot like the behavior of Isadora. She had a huge crest and I often wondered if the behavior was because she couldn't see. Keep an eye on him.

I wish I were closer too! I need a (mature) blue roo for my BBS pen

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

I agree. I love the buff and the blue.
His comb is too light but the shape doesn't seem too bad. I don't see any horns. His wings definitely look off.
Only the light one looks self-blue. You wouldn't see it on the dark one. I personally wouldn't use self-blue in the BBS pen but it's been done a lot and if you keep accurate records so that you know who is carrying the lav gene you can get lav babies. Lav crossed to black is usually considered the best choice. Here's a quote from Sonoran on the subject.

"If both parents have one copy of lav, then about a quarter of the chicks will
inherit two copies of lavender; another quarter will inherit two copies of
not-lavender and the remaining half will inherit one copy of lavender and one
of not lavender. If the lavender chicks inherit one copy of blue, you can
call them lavender blue; if they inherit two copies of blue, call them
lavender splash; if they inherit two copies of not-blue, call them lavender.
Now your bggest problem here is distinguishing between the birds that are blue
or splash AND lavender and the ones who are blue or splash AND not-lavender.
Almost impossible to distinguish by appearance. Only the lavenders who are
pure for not-blue are easy to distinguish. And if you are not expecting them,
one might simply think that they are just a light blue, not realizong that they
are lavender."

Thank you for your response

I made my mind and i will rehome the little guy. I really don't like his comb and wings.

As for those little chicks, they are so cute but now I don't know what to do with them

. As right now, i do not wish to start a lavender pen... I wanna start simple lol. Whenever you talked about the "light one", are you referring to this one:



He is a rooster, very cute but I guess he gotta go too.

So if I understand well Sonoran's quote, then this girl would have two copies of blue, which will make her a lavender splash. Will she be ok to add her to the BBS?



I will take better pictures of the two other ones tomorrow... I really need your help here!

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Too red of a comb, and he has some wing issues. Wings just don't breed out easily. But otherwise, he is really pretty--great crest and really great foot feathering! Seriously-- that foot feathering is like --WOW! Not the best of type, but not horrible, either. The walk you described sounds bad--- I think I know what you're talking about. That is usually a spine curvature issue-- like Wry back/tail. It effects how they walk. Does he sort of walk with with a shift from side to side? I made a video of one of mine that was really bad and exaggerated. Even a slight "waddle" probably means something is wrong with his back. Because of all of that, I wouldn't use him. But he would still make a great pet! He's a pretty boy. How old is he? Has he been having loose/runny poop? He might have a touch of cocci and just isn't feeling well. I'd probably treat for that if that sounds about right.


agreed on the wings.

I know those feet.... i just love them. That why I feel bad to rehome him. I just wished he had better comb and wings!!!
After having read your comment about the spine curvature I am starting to question myself

I didn't even think about it. I will check tomorrow. Poor guy! He just started to crow, I will say 5 months old. When I first got him, his poop was very runny. I separated him, and the poop became harder. I think it was from the change of food. Anyway, I will do my best to find him a new good home.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yes, she is splash; does she have two copies of lav? That would make her lavender splash (a bird with both). I try to keep my lavenders separate from my blue and splash.

 

[LaPetiteFarmer]

Yes, she is splash; does she have two copies of lav? That would make her lavender splash (a bird with both). I try to keep my lavenders separate from my blue and splash.

If you don't mind me asking why do you keep your lavender splash separated from your blue and splash?

 

[silkieloverz123]

Cute silkies every1 i think you should keep the roo!!!! He is adorable and his foot feathering is amazing!
-SilkieLoverz123

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Most lavender/self blue breeders (all breeds, not just silkies) from all over the world recommend keeping them separate. A bird that is lav/lav and Bl/? looks more like blue or splash than like lavender, so what is the point of it carrying lavender? The phenotype is wrong for lavender, and I don't see any advantage to the blues. Indeed, lavender can bring in feathering issues.