Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Keric]

Oh awesome! I love looking at all the pictures too! I have been trying to compile what they should "look" like for show, but hard to compare to mine since they are unbearded.
Here are a few pics of my white,buff, and black hen. All about the same age(though the black is older) they were given to me by a friend who had them as pets. I was curious if they could be more?! The white and buff I believe look the best but I think my buff is the better of all of them.

Any input would be great!!! So sorry for all the technical difficulties technology is always smarter then me bahaha

I've been having a tough time deciding on what color silkies I want. I was thinking buff, but this post has definitely swayed me all the way. Her earlobes really stick out beautifully! Very gorgeous

 

[Feathersprings]

I like her too I thought so do you think their crests can bloom after a molt? I sure can I will get a shot of both wings and her feet i thought the whites wings looked wierd but wasn't sure if it was because she was about to flap or what. Does slip wing mean they are too far apart? I figured the black girl was a long shot lol but I didn't want to leave her out haha! Thank you oh so much for your input it helped tremendously and also assured some things I had right I will get those pics up in just a moment

How old are they ?? , yes the crests can look larger after they molt and get rid of pin feathers but usually they either have a big crest or not. You are looking for it to balance with the rest of the bird. I like a nice big crest but a good medium sized one is great! I have a soft spot for black silkies I think she is cute!!! She looks very sweet

 

[ket806]

I agree, the buff is probably the nicest. They look very much like my first silkies, cute but not show quality.   If you are REALLY interested in showing you might want to either buy a breeder quality pair from a good breeder and breed your own or even hatch some eggs...     No matter the quality they are just fun to have around ! In the mean time you can join the Silkie club and start learning about the standard and showing. Though I have had silkies in the past I am staring over and relearning everything almost!

Oh I would love to join the silkie club! How do I go about doing that? I have been very interested in hatching actually I believe I will keep them In my "back yard pin" lol just because I like silkies period haha. Oh and I see a lot of bearded for show, are the unbearded not show quality or just not as popular? Thank you for your info!!)

 

[Feathersprings]

Oh I would love to join the silkie club! How do I go about doing that? I have been very interested in hatching actually I believe I will keep them In my "back yard pin" lol just because I like silkies period haha. Oh and I see a lot of bearded for show, are the unbearded not show quality or just not as popular? Thank you for your info!!

)

I joined a while back and one of the great things are photo albums with pics of feet, combs, crests, tails etc. Showing what is correct and not and comments about them from members. there is a lot of info.. You also get a member book so you can see who might be close to you. Hatching is fun and addictive. I have to keep myself in line as I dont have room to keep tons of birds. I have to be very selective and keep the hatching in control lol! You can show both bearded and non bearded varieties but the bearded seem to be more popular.


http://www.americansilkiebantamclub.org/index.asp

 

[ket806]

How old are they ?? , yes the crests can look larger after they molt and get rid of pin feathers but usually they either have a big crest or not. You are looking for it to balance with the rest of the bird. I like a nice big crest but a good medium sized one is great!  I have a soft spot for black silkies I think she is cute!!! She looks very sweet

I was told the buff and white were 6 months or younger and the black was maybe 7. I'm honestly not 100% none have Layed yet. Oh ok awesome well after a molt I will repost pics the black is probably the sweetest!! I have a black roo as well and he too is as sweet as her! I don't know If he is full though(everything in his face is double the size of the others and has no crest)

 

[ket806]

I've been having a tough time deciding on what color silkies I want.  I was thinking buff, but this post has definitely swayed me all the way.  Her earlobes really stick out beautifully!  Very gorgeous

Thank you!! I really like the white ones until my friend gave me her and I just had to stick with well lovin them all haha)

 

[ChicksNherps]

I was told the buff and white were 6 months or younger and the black was maybe 7. I'm honestly not 100% none have Layed yet. Oh ok awesome well after a molt I will repost pics the black is probably the sweetest!! I have a black roo as well and he too is as sweet as her! I don't know If he is full though(everything in his face is double the size of the others and has no crest)

Can we see your roo? Silkies are tempermental about laying lol my oldest is 10 months and she still hasn't layed, but the little girl I got from my friend should start laying sooner, hers all lay around 6 months.

 

[Keric]

I like having one color or two. I don't like seeing a bunch of different colors cuz it looks messy. LOL Don't judge me! I like the whites but I'm afraid they would always look dirty, I have a splash and she seems to get yellowish sometimes. I'm very excited I chose a color, I've been thinking about it for weeks hahaha

 

[ChicksNherps]

I like having one color or two. I don't like seeing a bunch of different colors cuz it looks messy. LOL Don't judge me! I like the whites but I'm afraid they would always look dirty, I have a splash and she seems to get yellowish sometimes. I'm very excited I chose a color, I've been thinking about it for weeks hahaha

a lot of corn in teh feed can cause yellowing in the feathers, as well as sunburn. Sometimes it isn't just dirt.

 

[peepblessed]

Are you ready? lol 7 months and still has me stumped. I always forget to put the age.....I'm sorry.

My first instinct is "boy", but nothing other than body type would indicate such.

At 7 months I would be 99 percent girl.