Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Adoravachick]

What temp is best for egg storage while waiting to get enough eggs to put into the incubator?

 

[aoxa]

What temp is best for egg storage while waiting to get enough eggs to put into the incubator?

55-65 degrees.

 

[racuda]

Yes indeed! I know exactly what you are talking about. I have a bird that is NOT a cross beak, but is instead a 'twist'. I've done quite a bit of reading up on it and the consensus is that there is a divided argument on whether it is a genetic defect or a product of an environmental cause-- like positioning in the egg before hatch. The entire skull becomes a bit twisted. I have a bird with this condition and she's my only one. Her upper and lower beak align perfectly! It is just twisted! Here is her picture. Does yours look like this? If so, I'm afraid you will have people argue over genetic vs environmental. BUT--- regardless, I would not breed them.

There is no need to post my own picture now because that is exactly what mine looks like!

He/she was hatched from eggs from a well known breeder and looks like it has a lot of potential to be an asset to my flock. Since it seems there is a good possibility that this problem is environmental I'll keep him/her with the flock and pay attention to the chicks that may come from this bird. Thanks for the replies!

 

[Adoravachick]

55-65 degrees.

Thanks.

 

[Me & Jack]

There is no need to post my own picture now because that is exactly what mine looks like!

He/she was hatched from eggs from a well known breeder and looks like it has a lot of potential to be an asset to my flock. Since it seems there is a good possibility that this problem is environmental I'll keep him/her with the flock and pay attention to the chicks that may come from this bird. Thanks for the replies!

Wait? What environmental causes are you thinking it could be? If environmental or teratogenic factors have caused this deformity then you would likely see it in more than one bird -- although the same could be said of genetic causes. I would be especially weary of breeding a bird with this condition, and certainly would not sell chicks until they are at least 4 months old to be sure any genetic cause is ruled out or that the chicks are not showing the trait.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:

 

[Hawkeye95]

The only two birds that have had this (that I own) are from a specific hen with a specific rooster. I have the rooster (who is the brother of the hen who these chicks belong to, as well as their father) separated and using him in a sizzle project. I am using the mother with a cock of an entirely different line. I'll let you know if anything pops up. Those two above are sisters.
Here are some of the older crooked beaks offspring (unrelated roo)



And I have yet to actually get the same issue when crossing her to the unrelated roo (I have many more chicks that are fine, but these are the only head-on pictures I can find).
Right now I only have 3 laying silkie hens. The crook-beak throws the best ones. Ah well. If she does start throwing chicks like that, I would stop using her. I don't sell chicks at all. At least not yet. I grow them all out myself.

WOW, that is a lot of birds that were produced with a twisted beak. Honestly, in that case, I would say you have a genetic problem and finding out who the culprit is would be to have test runs with hatching. BUT-- if it were me, I'd take both birds out of my breeding pen, because what if they both carry the trait? And that is totally possible.

I agree that line breeding is probably meant only to refer to the breeding of a sire or dam to its best offspring, where as inbreeding can refer to any breeding of closely related birds (including mother/son and father/daughter, as well as siblings).

What temp is best for egg storage while waiting to get enough eggs to put into the incubator?

I probably dont have the best method, but I put my eggs in a basket in the closet. It's dark and cooler in there. I really don't even know what temperature it is, but I know it's a bit cooler than the rest of the house. Even so, I get really good hatches.

There is no need to post my own picture now because that is exactly what mine looks like!

He/she was hatched from eggs from a well known breeder and looks like it has a lot of potential to be an asset to my flock. Since it seems there is a good possibility that this problem is environmental I'll keep him/her with the flock and pay attention to the chicks that may come from this bird. Thanks for the replies!

I'm cringing, because although it might not be genetic--- what if it is? I should post a picture of my twisted beak bird now-- she is beautiful! But no way would I ever chance breeding her and possibly passing that trait on deep down in her genetics. I've found my bird a pet home, and I consider it such a huge defect/flaw that I am not even charging money for her. As far as I'm concerned, she has no qualities--no matter how great-- that could ever off set her beak and skull deformity. I would really consider it and think about it before you decide to add her to your breeding. I know I would not want offspring from a bird that had any kind of skull or beak deformity. People cull for a lot less. Just sayin'.

Wait? What environmental causes are you thinking it could be? If environmental or teratogenic factors have caused this deformity then you would likely see it in more than one bird -- although the same could be said of genetic causes. I would be especially weary of breeding a bird with this condition, and certainly would not sell chicks until they are at least 4 months old to be sure any genetic cause is ruled out or that the chicks are not showing the trait.

I would not want ANY offspring from that bird. Not trying to be mean, just being honest. I don't care what the cause ultimately is. The fact is, there is no way to know either way.

 

[aoxa]

WOW, that is a lot of birds that were produced with a twisted beak.  Honestly, in that case, I would say you have a genetic problem and finding out who the culprit is would be to have test runs with hatching.  BUT-- if it were me, I'd take both birds out of my breeding pen, because what if they both carry the trait?  And that is totally possible.  

Total was 2 birds with crooked beak (and it's not heavily crooked). I will definitely keep my eye on them. If I notice any birds with it, I will remove them from my program (hehe sounds special - program)

 

[Hawkeye95]

Total was 2 birds with crooked beak (and it's not heavily crooked). I will definitely keep my eye on them. If I notice any birds with it, I will remove them from my program (hehe sounds special - program)

Just remember-- beaks won't show any issues until around 6-8 weeks of age... and sometimes even older. So you can't get rid of any chicks before they are at least 3-4 months old until you are sure they don't have that problem.

 

[aoxa]

Just remember-- beaks won't show any issues until around 6-8 weeks of age... and sometimes even older.  So you can't get rid of any chicks before they are at least 3-4 months old until you are sure they don't have that problem.  

I don't anyway Haven't let a single one go lol. I am a silkie hoarder