Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Adoravachick]

Well her last batch is 12 weeks old and shows no signs of that issue. She's just really mean. Feather picking isn't usually a bully move. They will just pick the feathers and eat them right there, not flog them, rip out their tail feathers and call their kids to the buffet.
They never did eat the feathers, they just ran around with it and played keep away.

Lol, maybe they were getting on her nerves so she gave them a few feathers and said "Bok bok!" (chicken talk for "go play") .

 

[aoxa]

Lol, maybe they were getting on her nerves so she gave them a few feathers and said "Bok bok!" (chicken talk for "go play") .

Must have been. She was co-parenting with a barred rock, and together they were sharing 21 chicks. I'm sure they wore her out But she is on a nest AGAIN after only a few weeks of laying.

 

[Adoravachick]

Must have been. She was co-parenting with a barred rock, and together they were sharing 21 chicks. I'm sure they wore her out

But she is on a nest AGAIN after only a few weeks of laying.

This picture is adorable and I am laughing so hard because...somedays, I feel like the way this hen looks with her chicks. Hair standing up and all.

 

[aoxa]

This picture is adorable and I am laughing so hard because...somedays, I feel like the way this hen looks with her chicks. Hair standing up and all.

Yes - I get that. I don't have kids myself yet, but when my nephew stays for a weekend, I feel that way as well! When they turned 3 weeks old, all 21 no longer fit under the two hens, but they sure tried. I put a heat lamp there at night so they would keep warm enough. They both did an amazing job! 21 chicks between two hens.. I think that's quite a lot! lol

Just to add more cuteness.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Far too many show halls have poor lighting.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Two blues bred together can give splash offspring; if you have any, you will know that she is genetically a blue.

 

[aoxa]

Far too many show halls have poor lighting.

Yep. Just noticed I said Residential Continental. I've been watching Grey's Anatomy again

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: I am not familiar with him; maybe some other silkie breeders who have show under him would know how well he tends to judge silkies. Many judges are better at some breeds than at others, and silkies seem to be a breed that has a hard time finding judges that are good. For one reason, too many judges think that silkies are a sissy bird that don't belong--despite the fact that they are one of the oldest breeds in existence, and have been in both the APA and ABA standard since the organizations were first formed.

For what it may be worth, I have followed the advice of judges (really good ones) and entered birds under the variety name they suggested rather than what I knew them to be and regretted it--every show is different, and as you gain experience, follow what YOU think it correct.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Most judges will judge each AOV variety against others of the same variety, and then (if asked) judge a best and reserve AOV. The last is usually left out. You really do not want porcelains judges against blue partridge; at least not until they have been judged against others of the same colour pattern.

The frizzled silkie should not have been considered AOV if the colour variety was recognized. Frizzle is recognized for ALL breeds and varieties. So, a frizzled partridge is recognized; a frizzled creamsicle is not.

Blue with dark blue splashes IS splash. Splash is not supposed to have a white background. From the 2011 Bantam Standard.

SPLASH PLUMAGE
Color of Male and Female​

PLUMAGE: Slaty blue and white that has a faint bluish gray tinge. Blue in feathers in the form of large irregular shaped blobs as distinct from V-shaped ticking. Main tail feathers and primary wing feathers wth a lesser amount of blue than the rest of the plumage.
UNDERCOLOR: Slaty blue and sooty white, evenly distributed.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: With a bird like a silkie, a full crop is not a problem; with something like a modern game where a bulging crop shows and throws off the bird's look, it is an issue. I never take food away from my silkies at shows; I do remove water before showing. A bird with a soaking wet crest and beard does not compete well--even if it is the best bird by far when it is dry.