Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Hawkeye95]

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.

Thank you for being so candid! This is such good information! I don't think I'll pass on her then.

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.

oh yes, this is what I'm talking about! I love how their tails and hackles touch!! Beautiful! I've been getting nicer birds than my starter parents. So I bet you get the same off of him.

So great to have your imput on these issues!

X2

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.

WOW-- that tail/cushion is BIG! I wonder how much more she will fill in?? LOVE her rear end! haha! Her foot feathering is amazing, too!! What's up with the white toenails? Are her toes lighter in color?

 

[chisNchickens]

I clip this shot of the same pullet also taken yesterday. Not a very good picture but easier to see her crest. Also a butt shot.

This girl is a real beauty, can't wait to see her in a few months.

 

[peepblessed]

This girl is a real beauty, can't wait to see her in a few months.

Thanks, me too!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Peep, have you ever weighed your rooster? I have a mail scale that I use to ship packages and I drug it out, set it on the counter and put my rooster on it. That is how I discovered he was too heavy. Just wondering where everyone's boys weigh in at? Wondering how far below the standard weigh your birds are. What I should be shooting for. Should we be trying for much smaller... or like the size of a small hen???

 

[peepblessed]

Peep, have you ever weighed your rooster? I have a mail scale that I use to ship packages and I drug it out, set it on the counter and put my rooster on it. That is how I discovered he was too heavy. Just wondering where everyone's boys weigh in at? Wondering how far below the standard weigh your birds are. What I should be shooting for. Should we be trying for much smaller... or like the size of a small hen???

I have not weighed any of them and I suspect my roo is too big. I'm going to have to wait until I'm quite a bit more recovered to take that on but it's on my list to do for sure!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Peep, have you ever weighed your rooster? I have a mail scale that I use to ship packages and I drug it out, set it on the counter and put my rooster on it. That is how I discovered he was too heavy. Just wondering where everyone's boys weigh in at? Wondering how far below the standard weigh your birds are. What I should be shooting for. Should we be trying for much smaller... or like the size of a small hen???

• Cocks: 36 oz
• Hens: 32 oz
• Cockerels: 32 oz
• Pullets: 28 oz

Harbor Freight carries a small digital scale for about $15; plenty large enough for them to stand on (but way too small for my LF rocks, lol!)
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-scale-95364.html

 

[Hawkeye95]

• Cocks: 36 oz
• Hens: 32 oz
• Cockerels: 32 oz
• Pullets: 28 oz

Harbor Freight carries a small digital scale for about $15; plenty large enough for them to stand on (but way too small for my LF rocks, lol!)
http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-scale-95364.html

I bought my scale online thru Amazon, I believe... it was several years ago. What do you do with birds that do not meet these weights? (or I should say, exceed these weights) Have you had any cocks that have grown heavier than the 36oz?? And if so, do you sell them off? I'm just going to move my "large" rooster to the layer pen, (poor girls) and hope that someone growing out can replace him. Do you think this is becoming a problem?

 

[aoxa]

Do they weigh the birds at the show?

 

[Hawkeye95]

Do they weigh the birds at the show?

Not with a scale... but if the judge knows what he's doing, when he lifts them up, he will know. At our show 2 weeks ago-- the judge lifted my boy to look him over and instantly turned to me and told me he's too heavy/too big. Anyway, would have saved myself a LOT of trouble if I'd weighed him before we went. He went ahead and judged him, but he did very poorly. Afterwards, the judge told me he had great type, but I needed to phase in a smaller rooster next year.

 

[peepblessed]

If his comb is this size at 4 months what is it going to be at full maturity? Scary!