Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yes, no and maybe. I have seen birds that are too large (not many), ones that are too small (a lot) and mostly ones that are correct. Pair a too large rooster who is otherwise excellent with a too small hen that is otherwise excellent. And vice versa. And DO weigh them to see how they fare. While a judge SHOULD know what he/she is feeling, they are not always accurate. There is a TON of resistance to having a scale at shows. IMO, it should not be used as a part of judging, but as a tool that is available for protests or for exhibitors to do their own checking.

In general, I have been told more often that my birds are too small, not too large. Some of them definitely are too small, but I would say most are about where they should be.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Do they weigh the birds at the show?

Never that I have seen (except serama with tabletop judging or at serama shows).

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: So did you weigh him when you got him home? How much over was he?

 

[Hawkeye95]

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

Wow. Maybe that will be it and it will stop growing?

Yes, no and maybe. I have seen birds that are too large (not many), ones that are too small (a lot) and mostly ones that are correct. Pair a too large rooster who is otherwise excellent with a too small hen that is otherwise excellent. And vice versa. And DO weigh them to see how they fare. While a judge SHOULD know what he/she is feeling, they are not always accurate. There is a TON of resistance to having a scale at shows. IMO, it should not be used as a part of judging, but as a tool that is available for protests or for exhibitors to do their own checking.

In general, I have been told more often that my birds are too small, not too large. Some of them definitely are too small, but I would say most are about where they should be.

I wouldn't think that the birds could be too small! Unless they were just teeny tiny. I wouldn't want a scale at a show unless like you said, it was used for dispute, or checking for your own peace of mind. So there are more too small, than too large. Very interesting. I am anxious to see how these bird turn out now-- since my rooster fathered them all (except for my shipped eggs)

So did you weigh him when you got him home? How much over was he?

I did weigh him! He was 11.8 ounces over 36 oz. Obviously, that is definitely over the limit... what do you think? Is that excessively over?

 

[light sussex]

I love my silkys and yours are looking nice.

 

[mystdogs]

Yes, no and maybe. I have seen birds that are too large (not many), ones that are too small (a lot) and mostly ones that are correct. Pair a too large rooster who is otherwise excellent with a too small hen that is otherwise excellent. And vice versa. And DO weigh them to see how they fare. While a judge SHOULD know what he/she is feeling, they are not always accurate. There is a TON of resistance to having a scale at shows. IMO, it should not be used as a part of judging, but as a tool that is available for protests or for exhibitors to do their own checking.

In general, I have been told more often that my birds are too small, not too large. Some of them definitely are too small, but I would say most are about where they should be.

I cannot understand the resistance to weighing? If they are supposed to be within a certain weight then I see no reason why that is not taken into consideration for judging. I need to pick up a larger scale to measure the chickens with. I'm interested in seeing how they weigh in now

 

[Hawkeye95]

I cannot understand the resistance to weighing? If they are supposed to be within a certain weight then I see no reason why that is not taken into consideration for judging. I need to pick up a larger scale to measure the chickens with. I'm interested in seeing how they weigh in now

I think if you have a really good judge, you won't need to waste time with weighing them.

Unless you're talking about what they do for bucket calves and meat goats-- do a weigh in before hand and long before the judge shows up. Then it would be the responsibility of the owner to get to the show a day ahead of time for weigh in. I know when I was at the weigh in for meat goats this year, it was a looooooong line... (special weight forms have to be filled in with tag numbers, etc) You'd have to be pretty convincing to set something like that up. Honestly, my judge was right on spot! He knew right away when he lifted my bird that he was too heavy. He's been judging for 20 something years. You get a judge like that, and you won't need a scale.

 

[chisNchickens]

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.

Interesting. Looks I will break out the scale later this evening. My oldest breeding prospect male is not full grown, but it will give me an idea. Great thoughts folks.
Thanks!

 

[chisNchickens]

I cannot understand the resistance to weighing? If they are supposed to be within a certain weight then I see no reason why that is not taken into consideration for judging. I need to pick up a larger scale to measure the chickens with. I'm interested in seeing how they weigh in now

Very similar situation with showing chihuahuas. The judge rarely pulls the scale but I would rather have him or her question and verify than wonder and place my dog lower because it is questionable. I'd rather the scales always be out and easy access.

 

[mystdogs]

Very similar situation with showing chihuahuas. The judge rarely pulls the scale but I would rather have him or her question and verify than wonder and place my dog lower because it is questionable. I'd rather the scales always be out and easy access.

Yes we have similar to that with height requirements in my rotties and malinois, so they always have a wicket available at shows if it is needed. In agility a dog must have a height card so they are entered in the correct height class, perhaps with chickens they could have a weight card. I know it would be time consuming, but with all the fluff on some birds they can appear much heavier than they really are. At the least the scale should be available for any questionable bird the judge may encounter