Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[howfunkyisurchicken]

If your Sizzle is frazzled it probably wont matter what you use. I had a frazzled Cochin rooster who looked absolutely GORGEOUS just after a moult. He would get balder and balder as the months went by, though. He made beautiful chicks, 100% of them were frizzled. I think I have a frazzled hen right now too. Her feathers aren't brittle, they're pretty soft, but they don't seem to be as wide as they should. They're very skinny and tightly packed in all over her body. She's also starting to get some bald patches, but that could be from brooding/hatching and the outbreak of mites that came shortly after ( )

 

[PaintedFeathers]

If your Sizzle is frazzled it probably wont matter what you use. I had a frazzled Cochin rooster who looked absolutely GORGEOUS just after a moult. He would get balder and balder as the months went by, though. He made beautiful chicks, 100% of them were frizzled. I think I have a frazzled hen right now too. Her feathers aren't brittle, they're pretty soft, but they don't seem to be as wide as they should. They're very skinny and tightly packed in all over her body. She's also starting to get some bald patches, but that could be from brooding/hatching and the outbreak of mites that came shortly after (

)

What do you think then?

 

[chisNchickens]

If you want to grow really good foot feathers on your Silkies, keep them on kitty litter which you screen every day.All my show birds were kept up in 2 x 4' coops. They grew flippers !

Dragonlady, I know you mentioned it before and I apologize for asking you to repeat it, but what is the brand? I have my show birds on regular stall shavings in cages and have one
that digs and kicks constantly - no matter what she's on. I'm thinking the kitty litter might do less damage when she digs. She is driving me crazy.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

What do you think then?

She looks like a normal frizzle to me. My poor Cochin hens feathers are about half the width of your girls. Her head, neck, wings and booty are looking a little bare these days too. I'm trying to post a picture but the mobile website is being a turd today :/

 

[Sanna]

I plan on breeding him with icelynn, Chanel, and Gucci =) Not sure what colors I will get but they will still be beautiful

Might even try for some easter egger silkies!

I bet you'll have a bunch of pretty rainbow colored babies.

 

[thedragonlady]

Dragonlady, I know you mentioned it before and I apologize for asking you to repeat it, but what is the brand? I have my show birds on regular stall shavings in cages and have one
that digs and kicks constantly - no matter what she's on. I'm thinking the kitty litter might do less damage when she digs. She is driving me crazy.

Any white unscented non clumping kitty litter will do. You can buy big bags from Auto supply places. They use it to absorb oil. You really can't keep Silkies in top show condition when they live on the ground.

I would try soaked BOSS, and some corn oil on the feed for that frizzle.BOSS is great for Silkies too, and they love it. NO corn oil though, or their beards will be a mess !

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Any white unscented non clumping kitty litter will do. You can buy big bags from Auto supply places. They use it to absorb oil. You really can't keep Silkies in top show condition when they live on the ground.

I would try soaked BOSS, and some corn oil on the feed for that frizzle.BOSS is great for Silkies too, and they love it. NO corn oil though, or their beards will be a mess !

I'm going to start using FF again for a portion of their food, including BOSS

so maybe they will get stronger soon.

 

[thedragonlady]

I'm going to start using FF again for a portion of their food, including BOSS

so maybe they will get stronger soon.

I do NOT feed fermented feed. Mold grows too fast in the heat here. I wet down Boss, and scratch at night and let it soak until 4:00 PM the next day. Then I add Calf Manna, and feed it in troughs, in addition to their Flockraiser which they have free choice.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote:
Interesting, I have never had my Fermented Feed mold. I have been running the same bucket since February of this year. It did hit 103 yesterday - but the humidity is really low so that might make a difference. It also cools off at night (it is outside in a bucket in the sun). It could also be the way I am doing it, I don't know, I just know it hasn't ever gotten moldy and is always really bubbly.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Wow, I've never had any mold on my FF either. I keep it inside on my kitchen counter, though. I also change out containers every now and then. Hopefully I never have a problem, my Silkies LOVE their FF!