Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[byveidt]

So, I was given this bird at a show, and by given I mean for free, and that's great because I was looking for a black cock for my paints; but his back seems kind of long and he's heavy. I just gave him a bath, twice over because he was pretty dirty, but I was wondering if anyone thinks these typing issues could easily be resolved by typey hens, or other constructive criticism? A lot of his feathers are broken so he's lost some feathery form(have to wait for molt), but his toes and color, etc, are fine. He's also sitting funny in the second picture. I think he's about one year or maybe older. Thanks for any input.

 

[ChicksNherps]

So, I was given this bird at a show, and by given I mean for free, and that's great because I was looking for a black cock for my paints; but his back seems kind of long and he's heavy. I just gave him a bath, twice over because he was pretty dirty, but I was wondering if anyone thinks these typing issues could easily be resolved by typey hens, or other constructive criticism? A lot of his feathers are broken so he's lost some feathery form(have to wait for molt), but his toes and color, etc, are fine. He's also sitting funny in the second picture. I think he's about one year or maybe older. Thanks for any input.

Is he actually black? he looks blue. you would really need a picture of him flat on the ground and comfortable(not right after a bath they never look good then) to really see how he looks.

 

[TNBarnQueen]

Get pictures on a flat surface, then we can see how she carries herself. Preferably get pictures of her free ranging normally. Also, when you go to the show, call her self blue or lavender. I think that is what you meant, there is no lilac

could be a blue cream (porcelain)

Sorry for the confusion....Lilac is her name. Will try to get pics tomorrow. Going to bathe her just in case I get to go to the show.
I think the chick came out of my white roo and a black hen with the gold hackles that was suppose to be paint...since most of those chicks did not turn out the color I was to get there may be some porcelain in them. Cool! Set 17 more eggs today...maybe I will get lucky again.
Will try to get some pics on flat surface. It was so muddy and wet there was no where outside to put her out of the mud. My inside pics turn out horrible. Will try tomorrow if the rain stops. Thanks so much! I have got to train my mind to self blue...not lavender. LOL

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Those are special, numbered editions.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Does anyone on this thread ship chicks? I am looking to start doing do next year as I am getting requests to do so. I do not sell day old chicks so this is where I need some help. I like to watch chicks for 1-2 weeks before letting them go to new homes. So can I still ship them as chicks or do the rules of adult birds come into play? I have read the regulations but everything refers to "day old" chicks or adult birds. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

There is a minimum weight for "adult" birds; chicks are supposed to be no more than a day old--anything older than that is supposed to ship as adult--which means there is a gap when they cannot be shipped.

 

[thedragonlady]

There is a minimum weight for "adult" birds; chicks are supposed to be no more than a day old--anything older than that is supposed to ship as adult--which means there is a gap when they cannot be shipped.

I currently ship juvenile LF Orps aged 6-12 weeks. With Silkies you could ship from 4 weeks on up. The key is to have them feathered, and able to survive without heat. Express mail sometimes takes as long as three days to deliver, despite what the PO guarantees. It is imperative to have a moisture source in the box. The best I've found is a couple of tomatoes cut in half.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

That Express Overnight guarantee is a crock! We just had a buff Orpington bantam cockerel shipped from Illinois to Arkansas. It went to St Louis and disappeared for 5 days! We now know it went from St. Louis to Atlanta to Arkansas. The entire story is at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/743717/usps-lost-my-daughters-bantam-chicken

So when they "guarantee" it is not always a guarantee!

The breeder felt since it would be here the next day, it needed no fruit. thankfully it survived. I always add something. last summer we added yellow squash because we had plenty. A friend shipped me 2 birds and added fresh, organic cucumbers. But I refer apples. I do like Vickie's idea of tomatoes. Do you use slicers or Roma type?

 

[Fur N Feathers]

How do you that ship live birds attach the fruit or vegetables to the boxes?

 

[thedragonlady]

That Express Overnight guarantee is a crock! We just had a buff Orpington bantam cockerel shipped from Illinois to Arkansas. It went to St Louis and disappeared for 5 days! We now know it went from St. Louis to Atlanta to Arkansas. The entire story is at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/743717/usps-lost-my-daughters-bantam-chicken

So when they "guarantee" it is not always a guarantee!

The breeder felt since it would be here the next day, it needed no fruit. thankfully it survived. I always add something. last summer we added yellow squash because we had plenty. A friend shipped me 2 birds and added fresh, organic cucumbers. But I refer apples. I do like Vickie's idea of tomatoes. Do you use slicers or Roma type?

I use any sort of big juicy tomatoes. I cut them in half and put them in the corners of the box cut side up. No need to secure them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: ??? ONE bump atop heir head.