Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

Is there a chance that something else was helping them eat in their previous location? My silkies eat very little chicken feed. I feed free choice alfalfa hay for protein and vitamins. They all love it including the newly hatched. So glad to hear everyone is healthy!
In the coops I always gave them Alfalfa, mixed seeds and grains, dried fruits, nuts, fresh fruits and veggies in addition to their feed. They did free range several hours a day as well. I am wondering what kind of fun they would have with the small crickets? They havent had as much fresh fruits and veggies as the farmers market and produce isn't freshly available at a great price. I have read that Blackstrap molasses is a great source of iron, any thoughts on Blackstrap?

Thanks for the well wishes Peep!
 
Got some pictures of Ice, does she still look like a pullet
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Also, I got some pictures of her wing feathering. Is this bad? They are VERY shredded. The SOP says their wings need to be well shredded but is this too much?







Wings were out of place
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Chicken snow angel
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Very feminine! I just love her color.
 
has anyone ever run into an issue with a silkie not liking treats when trying to train them to stand for showing? My girl has an awesome stance but only when I make her do it, and I don't have anything to reward her with except petting
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She won't take any form of treats, she doesn't even like BOSS! She won't touch the harvest delight I bought them, and took one nibble of a plain doughnut from dunkin donuts then wouldn't touch it. I just gave her some mango and she just shakes her head at it. Suggestions?
 
has anyone ever run into an issue with a silkie not liking treats when trying to train them to stand for showing? My girl has an awesome stance but only when I make her do it, and I don't have anything to reward her with except petting
hu.gif
She won't take any form of treats, she doesn't even like BOSS! She won't touch the harvest delight I bought them, and took one nibble of a plain doughnut from dunkin donuts then wouldn't touch it. I just gave her some mango and she just shakes her head at it. Suggestions?i
Have you ever tried bananas, pumpkin or squash? They love it here. We have a huge garden and half of it is planted for the chickens so they get plenty of fresh veggies in the summer. But I am like you.. the prices right now are so high on produce even on sale! I would try some canned pumpkin...I know it is wonderful for cats with stomach/bowel problems. My cats love it. I also buy whole wheat bread at our bread outlet. It has a good date and this time of year you can keep it in a container cause it is cold and preserves it well. I get 100 lbs. for $6. My chickens flock around me and little ones jump up on my arm to get the bread treat. It is almost like a scene out of the "Birds" movie!!! I also make cornbread with a lot of egg in it for them.
 
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We just started showing our Silkies in November and I understand what you mean about it being disappointing! There are 2/3 people in TN who have the most beautiful Silkies.
Well I was more disappointed that most birds were DISGUSTING, they left a bird in the coop with mites, and the judge didn't seem to know what he was doing with the silkies.
 

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