Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[chisNchickens]

Was it obvious when you wet it down during a bath? Or was it very obvious fully feathered and fluffy?

Not until six months or so. Then it got worse and you can tell when he's dry. Just looks higher on the one side. You can really feel it now though.

 

[ChicksNherps]

Okay here are pictures of their backs dry and wet, also pictures of my splash for conformation critiques before, during, and after his bath. The little misfit (unsure of color

) has split wings so she is not showable, but someone had mentioned she could have scoliosis so let me know what you think.

 

[mystdogs]

Sadly I've decided to let Peepers and Sweety find new homes. Peepers has split wing and Sweety does too, as well as wry tail. They both came from the same breeder so this will leave me nothing from that line. Gabby is looking like she will be my bird to show this fall Picaso is looking mighty handsome, but wish he had a nicer comb. Once I place out my silkies and polish I'm not keeping from the spring I'll be ordering some silkie eggs to but in the incubator.

Peepers

Sweety


Gabby (I'll try and get some good shots of her later today)


Picaso

 

[Hawkeye95]

I will give her a bath today and take a look, maybe some pictures too. for help. Her back doesn't seem hunched when I bathe her but I may just have never noticed. I will also do some of my splash. Is is life threatening or just a disqualification?

it's a DQ and should not be bred if they have spine issues or wry tail.

Not until six months or so. Then it got worse and you can tell when he's dry. Just looks higher on the one side. You can really feel it now though.

Hmmm... Well, cruddy crud. I'm sorry about your bird.. and mine! LOL I'm going to hang on to her a while longer and see how she develops further before petting her out.

Okay here are pictures of their backs dry and wet, also pictures of my splash for conformation critiques before, during, and after his bath. The little misfit (unsure of color

) has split wings so she is not showable, but someone had mentioned she could have scoliosis so let me know what you think.

I don't see any obvious defects in her spine or tail on the Buff. But she sure does look like she has a roach back... but not really seeing that significant of a curve when she's wet. Your splash, however, looks pretty nice. Nice crest and chest. But does she always stand slanted downward on her rear? Does her tail stick up at all? She needs more cushion and tail and she'd look pretty good. She's your best of the two, for sure. I think you could easily show her without being ashamed so that you can get the experience and learn from it. Just getting out there, meeting everyone else, the judge, etc... talking about breeding practices will get you further than just by hanging around on here. Although-- hanging around on here has taught me A LOT. But actually going to the shows-- that experience is priceless. How old is that splash? She is holding her wings pretty low, but if you snuck up on her while she is out eating, you might get a better picture of how she holds her body. I'll go back a page before and look again-- I forgot what she looked like.

ETA-- okay, her wings and tail look fine. She has a longer back than you want, but could grow in more. I think it's a girl you have there, too on the Splash.

 

[ChicksNherps]

No he was just slumped down because he was still wet

I will post another picture, I do think he is a male though the way he holds himself while walking and keeps watch over the other one. He is about 6 months old. the bottom of his tail is still a little wet and weighed down so it looks a little drooped, but you can see a good one of him a couple pages back.
Also, do you think she's buff? or some weird mix? some have said dark porcelain, I thought maybe light partridge, can anyone tell maybe in her after bath photos? I was told she had the chipmunk like markings as a baby but then got lighter than the rest.

 

[peepblessed]

I embarrassed that I don't know this, but when do chicks get their ear color and at what age is it the most vivid?

 

[mystdogs]

I embarrassed that I don't know this, but when do chicks get their ear color and at what age is it the most vivid?

I had to look back at photos. I started seeing the ear color stand out at about one month but not vivid until 2 months.

 

[peepblessed]

I had to look back at photos. I started seeing the ear color stand out at about one month but not vivid until 2 months.

Great! Thanks!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Fall-hatched chicks not growing as large is "old time breeder lore." There is some evidence to back it up, but I think a LOT has to do with local climate (say Maine or Manitoba versus Arizona or Kawaii) nd some has to do with modern versus "old timey" poultry feed. Also, some breeds tend to grow more slowly than others, and ones that hatch in the fall may not be large enough for spring showing simply because of their age. If you hatch in November, the birds will only be 4 months old for a March show, and in some parts of the country that is getting really late to show. Alternatively, a bird hatched in March will be seven months old for a November show, and while that is still on the young side, it is quite a bit older than 4 months. In my experience birds, males epecially tend to continue to grow and develop for two to three years.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I will give her a bath today and take a look, maybe some pictures too. for help. Her back doesn't seem hunched when I bathe her but I may just have never noticed. I will also do some of my splash. Is is life threatening or just a disqualification?

DQ, although in extreme cases it certainly could impact health and/or mobility.