Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[peepblessed]

This little bird is from a lavender pen, but the coloring is a blue partridge? I am starting a lavender pen, would this bird be beneficial or would I be better off to sell him/her. Also, any thoughts on sex, this bird is about 14-16 wks old. He or she has very nice wings nice feet and toe spacing. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

I think this is a grey with autosomal red. Some call this tortiseshell. I have my own questions about lavender splits so I won't try to answer your other question.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I want to say that her breeding pens were 6x6? And grow out pens were also 6x6ish? Maybe bigger? The stalls were just split in half with a 2.5 ft divider. That way she could just step over.
The barn area with grow out pens was just an open space when they got the place. I think like a place to store feed and/or maybe a workshop type area? I was too focused on all the eye candy that I can't remember exactly how big the pens were. Everything have the larger gauge chicken wire on it and the doors including the stall doors.

oh wow, so I was thinking of doing 12 foot wide pens, which means I could do two pens on each side of my barn (with the breeze way running down the middle of the barn and pens against each wall).. THEN, I could divide each 12 foot pen with a low chicken wire fence that I can step over, and that would give me 6 foot width spacing on each side, and about 12 foot in length for each pen. So, about 6 X12 and that would give me 8 pens in the front half of my barn. Okay, I'm liking that idea. I want to cut holes in the wall of my barn so that they have runs on the outside, but that shouldn't be too hard. I am going to have to use the tightly spaced hardware cloth for my pens in the barn. The barn has sliding doors on either end that easily shut...BUT just as easily a raccoon or anything can dig under, etc. I'm also going to have to line the pens with wire on the bottoms of them too, to prevent dig-ins. I'll have to wire up tops too, because my barn is a typical pole barn-- and is tall. But sounds like I may have more pens that I was thinking.

This little bird is from a lavender pen, but the coloring is a blue partridge? I am starting a lavender pen, would this bird be beneficial or would I be better off to sell him/her. Also, any thoughts on sex, this bird is about 14-16 wks old. He or she has very nice wings nice feet and toe spacing. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

She's cute, but I don't know enough about lavender. Not knowing enough, I would probably not want to risk bringing that back into your pen. I have a blue partridge, and mine doesn't look like this. Mine doesn't have any silver leakage-- so I'm guessing that Peep may be right and this is actually a grey which would make more sense.



So-- this is quite a bit off-topic, but I have a Fall show coming up and it's a big one! I have never been to this one, I was going to go last year, and then nerves got me and I didn't go. Now I could kick myself for the missed opportunity. But we have a Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show (and one in the Spring) that people from a couple states over come to. It's at a huge barn that can hold hundreds of birds. So I was thinking about my ASBC shirt and how I'm going to wear that (it's a 2 day show) and then I've been wanting another silkie shirt! I looked all over the internet for silkie clipart and there just isn't any. So I drew over the top of my birds that I took pictures of two days ago and viola! I have my own silkie clip art that actually ARE my own birds! I ordered this shirt this morning to wear to my Fall show! Those of you that go to shows-- have you made up your own silkie shirts??? I hope I'm not the only crazy person here that wants to wear a silkie shirt! LOL

 

[Adoravachick]

oh wow, so I was thinking of doing 12 foot wide pens, which means I could do two pens on each side of my barn (with the breeze way running down the middle of the barn and pens against each wall).. THEN, I could divide each 12 foot pen with a low chicken wire fence that I can step over, and that would give me 6 foot width spacing on each side, and about 12 foot in length for each pen. So, about 6 X12 and that would give me 8 pens in the front half of my barn. Okay, I'm liking that idea. I want to cut holes in the wall of my barn so that they have runs on the outside, but that shouldn't be too hard. I am going to have to use the tightly spaced hardware cloth for my pens in the barn. The barn has sliding doors on either end that easily shut...BUT just as easily a raccoon or anything can dig under, etc. I'm also going to have to line the pens with wire on the bottoms of them too, to prevent dig-ins. I'll have to wire up tops too, because my barn is a typical pole barn-- and is tall. But sounds like I may have more pens that I was thinking.

She's cute, but I don't know enough about lavender. Not knowing enough, I would probably not want to risk bringing that back into your pen. I have a blue partridge, and mine doesn't look like this. Mine doesn't have any silver leakage-- so I'm guessing that Peep may be right and this is actually a grey which would make more sense.



So-- this is quite a bit off-topic, but I have a Fall show coming up and it's a big one! I have never been to this one, I was going to go last year, and then nerves got me and I didn't go. Now I could kick myself for the missed opportunity. But we have a Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show (and one in the Spring) that people from a couple states over come to. It's at a huge barn that can hold hundreds of birds. So I was thinking about my ASBC shirt and how I'm going to wear that (it's a 2 day show) and then I've been wanting another silkie shirt! I looked all over the internet for silkie clipart and there just isn't any. So I drew over the top of my birds that I took pictures of two days ago and viola! I have my own silkie clip art that actually ARE my own birds! I ordered this shirt this morning to wear to my Fall show! Those of you that go to shows-- have you made up your own silkie shirts??? I hope I'm not the only crazy person here that wants to wear a silkie shirt! LOL

I like your thinking on the new pens in the pole barn.....more pens than expected....what to do?

I am not really liking the sound of a grey silkie with an autosomal red gene in a lavender pen that is just getting started. Complicated...honestly, I have no problem with just selling her or him and freeing up some space for another bird.

I LOVE the shirt!!!!! I was thinking of one for myself when I really get going. Great idea and it looks AWESOME!

 

[peepblessed]

oh wow, so I was thinking of doing 12 foot wide pens, which means I could do two pens on each side of my barn (with the breeze way running down the middle of the barn and pens against each wall).. THEN, I could divide each 12 foot pen with a low chicken wire fence that I can step over, and that would give me 6 foot width spacing on each side, and about 12 foot in length for each pen. So, about 6 X12 and that would give me 8 pens in the front half of my barn. Okay, I'm liking that idea. I want to cut holes in the wall of my barn so that they have runs on the outside, but that shouldn't be too hard. I am going to have to use the tightly spaced hardware cloth for my pens in the barn. The barn has sliding doors on either end that easily shut...BUT just as easily a raccoon or anything can dig under, etc. I'm also going to have to line the pens with wire on the bottoms of them too, to prevent dig-ins. I'll have to wire up tops too, because my barn is a typical pole barn-- and is tall. But sounds like I may have more pens that I was thinking.

She's cute, but I don't know enough about lavender. Not knowing enough, I would probably not want to risk bringing that back into your pen. I have a blue partridge, and mine doesn't look like this. Mine doesn't have any silver leakage-- so I'm guessing that Peep may be right and this is actually a grey which would make more sense.



So-- this is quite a bit off-topic, but I have a Fall show coming up and it's a big one! I have never been to this one, I was going to go last year, and then nerves got me and I didn't go. Now I could kick myself for the missed opportunity. But we have a Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show (and one in the Spring) that people from a couple states over come to. It's at a huge barn that can hold hundreds of birds. So I was thinking about my ASBC shirt and how I'm going to wear that (it's a 2 day show) and then I've been wanting another silkie shirt! I looked all over the internet for silkie clipart and there just isn't any. So I drew over the top of my birds that I took pictures of two days ago and viola! I have my own silkie clip art that actually ARE my own birds! I ordered this shirt this morning to wear to my Fall show! Those of you that go to shows-- have you made up your own silkie shirts??? I hope I'm not the only crazy person here that wants to wear a silkie shirt! LOL

Really cute shirt!! Great job!!!

 

[ChicksNherps]

oh wow, so I was thinking of doing 12 foot wide pens, which means I could do two pens on each side of my barn (with the breeze way running down the middle of the barn and pens against each wall).. THEN, I could divide each 12 foot pen with a low chicken wire fence that I can step over, and that would give me 6 foot width spacing on each side, and about 12 foot in length for each pen. So, about 6 X12 and that would give me 8 pens in the front half of my barn. Okay, I'm liking that idea. I want to cut holes in the wall of my barn so that they have runs on the outside, but that shouldn't be too hard. I am going to have to use the tightly spaced hardware cloth for my pens in the barn. The barn has sliding doors on either end that easily shut...BUT just as easily a raccoon or anything can dig under, etc. I'm also going to have to line the pens with wire on the bottoms of them too, to prevent dig-ins. I'll have to wire up tops too, because my barn is a typical pole barn-- and is tall. But sounds like I may have more pens that I was thinking.

She's cute, but I don't know enough about lavender. Not knowing enough, I would probably not want to risk bringing that back into your pen. I have a blue partridge, and mine doesn't look like this. Mine doesn't have any silver leakage-- so I'm guessing that Peep may be right and this is actually a grey which would make more sense.



So-- this is quite a bit off-topic, but I have a Fall show coming up and it's a big one! I have never been to this one, I was going to go last year, and then nerves got me and I didn't go. Now I could kick myself for the missed opportunity. But we have a Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show (and one in the Spring) that people from a couple states over come to. It's at a huge barn that can hold hundreds of birds. So I was thinking about my ASBC shirt and how I'm going to wear that (it's a 2 day show) and then I've been wanting another silkie shirt! I looked all over the internet for silkie clipart and there just isn't any. So I drew over the top of my birds that I took pictures of two days ago and viola! I have my own silkie clip art that actually ARE my own birds! I ordered this shirt this morning to wear to my Fall show! Those of you that go to shows-- have you made up your own silkie shirts??? I hope I'm not the only crazy person here that wants to wear a silkie shirt! LOL

I want! Hehe once I get a house I will have a small breeding project. Then I can have fun making up a name!

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

So-- this is quite a bit off-topic, but I have a Fall show coming up and it's a big one! I have never been to this one, I was going to go last year, and then nerves got me and I didn't go. Now I could kick myself for the missed opportunity. But we have a Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show (and one in the Spring) that people from a couple states over come to. It's at a huge barn that can hold hundreds of birds. So I was thinking about my ASBC shirt and how I'm going to wear that (it's a 2 day show) and then I've been wanting another silkie shirt! I looked all over the internet for silkie clipart and there just isn't any. So I drew over the top of my birds that I took pictures of two days ago and viola! I have my own silkie clip art that actually ARE my own birds! I ordered this shirt this morning to wear to my Fall show! Those of you that go to shows-- have you made up your own silkie shirts??? I hope I'm not the only crazy person here that wants to wear a silkie shirt! LOL

NICE! I wish I could find somewhere affordable to offer pink shirts, where did you do yours??? I'm very jealous! lol

you know I do them and sell them : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/708182/custom-shirts-silkie-showgirl-polish-and-more

 

[Hawkeye95]

Really cute shirt!! Great job!!!

Thank you! If you ever decide to show, I could sub out my name for yours and then send you the design to put on a shirt!

I want! Hehe once I get a house I will have a small breeding project. Then I can have fun making up a name!

Sounds like fun!

NICE! I wish I could find somewhere affordable to offer pink shirts, where did you do yours??? I'm very jealous! lol

you know I do them and sell them : https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/708182/custom-shirts-silkie-showgirl-polish-and-more

I know! I love your designs!! I especially love your polish design. I would have bought one of your shirts/designs, but I really, really, really wanted the women's style shirt in PINK!!! LOL!! I love pink! I just drew up the silkies design in Corel, converted it to a .png in paint and went to the ooshirts.com and uploaded the design and then they will take out any background white and viola! Done! It wasn't super cheap, unfortunately. I spent $24 on the shirt/design which included the shipping. I think you had cheaper shirt prices, but it was worth it to get the color and style I wanted. I'm thinking for Fall, I can wear a cute grey burn out under it for the layered look and the V neck and cap sleeves will look pretty fashionable with a round neck long sleeve burn out. They had a lot of shirt styles there, so I may be tempted to make up another one in a different style and color! I'll wait to see how this one turns out before I get another one.

 

[Brookiesbrooder]

Please let me know what you all think...she still has pin feathers in her crest I have been offered a chance to buy her

 

[Hawkeye95]

Please let me know what you all think...she still has pin feathers in her crest I have been offered a chance to buy her

She has a bonnet type crest and I can see at least 3 lobes within it. They aren't supposed to look like that; some people like it, some don't. It will come down to judging in the end on that one. It seems that this type of crest is becoming a popular crest. Without being able to see her wings in person, you're taking a risk on those-- but from 'here' they look okay--but she might be holding them a little loose and low-- hard to see well.. Did they tell you about any faults? ALL birds have a fault or two, or they wouldn't be selling her. But otherwise, she does have the type you would want to work with and she is very beautiful. I would get her! But I would ask the owners about her wings and feet and if those are pretty decent, I think she would be excellent to work with! And just an FYI-- since she looks like she is in show Condition-- which means she is not missing feathers and looking ragged, I would not put her in with a rooster. If you are wanting to breed her right away, I would do AI. I do AI on all of my birds that are in show Condition and ready for the show, but I'm still wanting fertile eggs from. The Fall shows are coming up FAST-- so I would hate to see you put her in with a rooster and mess her up before you could get to the shows.

 

[Me & Jack]

She has a bonnet type crest and I can see at least 3 lobes within it. They aren't supposed to look like that; some people like it, some don't. It will come down to judging in the end on that one. It seems that this type of crest is becoming a popular crest. Without being able to see her wings in person, you're taking a risk on those-- but from 'here' they look okay--but she might be holding them a little loose and low-- hard to see well.. Did they tell you about any faults? ALL birds have a fault or two, or they wouldn't be selling her. But otherwise, she does have the type you would want to work with and she is very beautiful. I would get her! But I would ask the owners about her wings and feet and if those are pretty decent, I think she would be excellent to work with! And just an FYI-- since she looks like she is in show Condition-- which means she is not missing feathers and looking ragged, I would not put her in with a rooster. If you are wanting to breed her right away, I would do AI. I do AI on all of my birds that are in show Condition and ready for the show, but I'm still wanting fertile eggs from. The Fall shows are coming up FAST-- so I would hate to see you put her in with a rooster and mess her up before you could get to the shows.

The SOP (yes, I'm quoting again!) lists as a defect and point loss a crest which is "divided". A judge who doesn't like the bonnet crest, especially if it is more obvious, might deduct as many as 8 points for the shape of it. That's potentially a lot to lose, although I think it'd be closer to 2 or 4 points. One reason this crest might be popular is because it can grow and appear larger than a regular crest, which is supposed to be upright and globular in shape, not lobed. So, you're likely to get lots of different feedback from judges, I suspect.