Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[blessednest]

Thank you for the response! We aren't sure Gala is a girl, we got Salvador and Gala as a pair. She hasn't laid eggs or crowed yet. I have been telling my hubby I wish she would do one or the other, because she does look very male! So, I think they duped us and gave us two roosters.

The partridge silkies are separate from the splash. The splash female that we have as his mate is for sure a female and as fluffy as he is. There are black in their pin as well. How old should they be before I know what quality they are for keeping for breeding?

Thank you again!

 

[blessednest]

Oh, and Salvador is for sure all boy! He is king of the roost, and has a beautiful crow

 

[ChickNmamma]

Thank you for the response! We aren't sure Gala is a girl, we got Salvador and Gala as a pair. She hasn't laid eggs or crowed yet. I have been telling my hubby I wish she would do one or the other, because she does look very male! So, I think they duped us and gave us two roosters.

The partridge silkies are separate from the splash. The splash female that we have as his mate is for sure a female and as fluffy as he is. There are black in their pin as well. How old should they be before I know what quality they are for keeping for breeding?

Thank you again!

I haven't had Silkies for very long, but I believe the consensus on this thread was over a year old at least - and a year and a half at most. By then you will see if they have the proper fluff, stance, etc. The splash boy does look good for his age. Just check all the DQ items (foot feathering, split wing, odd toes..). If your son shows him I am sure the Judge will give you his opinion of the bird, and its always good practice for showmanship..

Ah, so you don't know on Gala. Well, I guess keep watching, s/he is very pretty colored - but I think has too many hard feathers in the tail to be good BQ if it is a hen. That upright tail just says "Rooster" to me - and its even too high for a silkie - its almost like a mix?

 

[peepblessed]

How did you make your home made incubator? I tried but failed =P
Unfortunately I don't think she will win anything, but it will be fun and a good learning experience! I had a fun time talking to experienced breeders about their chickens. Like peepblessed asked, how old is she? From these pictures, I can tell you her back looks too long, she doesn't have enough foot feathering and is lacking feathers on the middle toe. But she seems young, so she may grow into her body better by the show. Here is a picture of my hen who I consider "show quality"

My sweet husband made mine. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/619988/the-incubator-that-macgyver-built-homemade-bator-success

Thank you for the response! We aren't sure Gala is a girl, we got Salvador and Gala as a pair. She hasn't laid eggs or crowed yet. I have been telling my hubby I wish she would do one or the other, because she does look very male! So, I think they duped us and gave us two roosters.

The partridge silkies are separate from the splash. The splash female that we have as his mate is for sure a female and as fluffy as he is. There are black in their pin as well. How old should they be before I know what quality they are for keeping for breeding?

Thank you again!

I will be amazed if Gala is a girl.

Hey there everyone! I was hoping for some info on whether a pair of silkies I bought are of breeding quality. Also, is splash a recognized color for showing? We have a beautiful Roo that I would love to let my boys show if it is.

This is Gala, one that I am hoping will be breeding quality!


Gala again: she isn't photogenic!


Gala



This is the splash roo. He is 6 months old.







Salvador, hoping he is breeding quality!








Thank you!

Your splash may be breeding quality and definitely the best of the three.

She is about 6 months old.

She's a cute girl but looks really immature for her age. Hopefully she's a late bloomer and will feather out more.

 

[B J Hopkins]

I haven't had Silkies for very long, but I believe the consensus on this thread was over a year old at least - and a year and a half at most. By then you will see if they have the proper fluff, stance, etc. The splash boy does look good for his age. Just check all the DQ items (foot feathering, split wing, odd toes..). If your son shows him I am sure the Judge will give you his opinion of the bird, and its always good practice for showmanship..

Ah, so you don't know on Gala. Well, I guess keep watching, s/he is very pretty colored - but I think has too many hard feathers in the tail to be good BQ if it is a hen. That upright tail just says "Rooster" to me - and its even too high for a silkie - its almost like a mix?

I'm by no means an expert, but Gala looks like a Roo to me as well. Love your Splash!

 

[ilovemysilkie]

my baby white silkie <3

 

[ChickNmamma]

my baby white silkie <3

... looks like red or orange under that brooder light... but cute!

 

[noahsmom]

I didnt read through the 4000+ posts but I have a question about breeding/showing BBS silkies. Keep in mind I'm new to all of this!

My question is do the blacks bred from BBS differ from just a black breeding by itself? I mean would someone see more even black colorin from just black x black breedings opposed to those blacks from BBS breedings? I hope that made sense!

I see a lot of beautiful blacks but looks like some seem washed out around certain areas and had me wondering. I'm sort of leaning towards starting up next spring breeding possibly try my hand at some showing and would like to learn.

 

[Sanna]

I didnt read through the 4000+ posts but I have a question about breeding/showing BBS silkies. Keep in mind I'm new to all of this!

My question is do the blacks bred from BBS differ from just a black breeding by itself? I mean would someone see more even black colorin from just black x black breedings opposed to those blacks from BBS breedings? I hope that made sense!

I see a lot of beautiful blacks but looks like some seem washed out around certain areas and had me wondering. I'm sort of leaning towards starting up next spring breeding possibly try my hand at some showing and would like to learn.

I was wondering the same thing a few days ago. I spoke with a woman who breeds silkies (and a few other breeds) in a couple of different colors, I believe she had blacks also. She said you can get a good black out of BBS breeding.

I have a splash cockerel and a couple of blue hens I intend to breed this spring and was wanting to add another color to my flock. I was thinking white but due to limited space, this breeder suggested black. This of course would make perfect sense, having a BBS pen. Duh!

I hope someone who has more knowledge will answer this question also.

 

[noahsmom]

I was wondering the same thing a few days ago. I spoke with a woman who breeds silkies (and a few other breeds) in a couple of different colors, I believe she had blacks also. She said you can get a good black out of BBS breeding.

I have a splash cockerel and a couple of blue hens I intend to breed this spring and was wanting to add another color to my flock. I was thinking white but due to limited space, this breeder suggested black. This of course would make perfect sense, having a BBS pen. Duh!

I hope someone who has more knowledge will answer this question also.

Thanks!
That was my thought with the BBS as well, you would have 3 colors to work with, sell eggs/chicks, show/breed and I may still add white if I really begin to breed, Just because white is my favorite colors of the silkies!
I've got 3 buff silkies in the brooder and only one white, what a start

It's ok though I'll keep the buffs if they can handle staying with my LF.