Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

Pics
Don't forget that some birds are really slow to mature and can look really awkward for quite a while. Look at this 7 mth. old roo I got from Deb and compare to 10 month photo. Photos are in the wrong order but you get the picture. Feel free to evaluate!!


It's funny to see how his wings are nice and tight and then he dropped them when he matured. That is exactly what my rooster did! I think he looks fantastic-- the only thing I can see that might be due to the photograph is that his comb appears to be a bit on the red side? Is that true or not? Has his tail come in more since this picture? My "giant" rooster keeps looking better and better each month. His hackles and tail cushion now touch. But it also depends on when you capture the bird-- are they walking, or moving out, etc... then you can't really see what they look like unless you see them in person. I really love his chest and crest, though. Great crest!! Did he develop slow? I have two little "runts" I hatched from her. They are teeny tiny!! And no joke-- they are like miniature silkies, they are sooooooo small! Did you get any of those? I'm hoping they end up with great type so I can swap one with my current rooster.
 
Quote: I have NEVER seen a judge be picky about toes (other than the count, and even then I KNOW of times they missed the count and placed birds with the wrong number. I was told that a duckfooted bird (and that is a DQ) won BB at a large show with lots of competition.

The toes would have to be very genetically messed up (duplicate polydactyly, for example--that is where there is a second foot atop the first) for me to not use an otherwise exceptional bird. Now if I have other birds who are equally good in all areas except the toes, then I might pass on it.
 
Here's a more recent photo. One year old here. I don't know if his hackles got fuller or tail fuller or both. :) His comb doesn't look too red in person but it's lumpier than should be (no horns), his wattles are redder than I'd like and his ear lobes are way too pale. :( I would also like a fuller beard.

 
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I have NEVER seen a judge be picky about toes (other than the count, and even then I KNOW of times they missed the count and placed birds with the wrong number. I was told that a duckfooted bird (and that is a DQ) won BB at a large show with lots of competition.

The toes would have to be very genetically messed up (duplicate polydactyly, for example--that is where there is a second foot atop the first) for me to not use an otherwise exceptional bird. Now if I have other birds who are equally good in all areas except the toes, then I might pass on it.
So great to have your imput on these issues!
 
Here's another one you all can evaluate. "She" is very small and immature for her 3 1/2 months, but I love her perky type and fluffy feet. Lots more crest to develop yet in her pin cushion head. I bred this one myself. Father is the roo I just posted. He gives all his babies these nice feet. :)
Hawkeye - no I didn't get any tinys in Debs eggs.





 
Here's one of my splash
IMG_20120713_172419.jpg
Its around 5 months and have no clue if its a pullet or roo.
 
Here's another one you all can evaluate. "She" is very small and immature for her 3 1/2 months, but I love her perky type and fluffy feet. Lots more crest to develop yet in her pin cushion head. I bred this one myself. Father is the roo I just posted. He gives all his babies these nice feet. :)
Hawkeye - no I didn't get any tinys in Debs eggs.





She is beautiful!! Love the cushion :love

I don't have any birds that are this good at all, but I would love to in the future. I would say some of mine are much better then others, but definitely not up to this type!
 
She is beautiful!! Love the cushion
love.gif

I don't have any birds that are this good at all, but I would love to in the future. I would say some of mine are much better then others, but definitely not up to this type!
Thank you but she may not turn out that well. Her back is too long and she's just kind of scrawny. :) But, I have seen those things change so I'm hoping!! You have some very nice birds. Don't sell them short!
 

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