Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

Here is the roo I was talking about earlier. He had some crest feathers pulled out. I am not sure how I feel about him.
How old is he? He has a nice high tail and a nice dark comb. Also, his wings are held parallel to the ground, which you don't see a lot in boys. My boys tend to drop their wings once they hit 5-6 months of age. If he is only 4-5 months old, I'd hang onto him. What do his wings look like? Fan them out and look at the feathers to see if they are nice and even, no spaces with no over-shredding. What do his feet and toes look like? I can't see if they have decent feathering or not. If he's young, he's really not bad at all. If he's already over a year old, then this is as good as it gets. If he is a bearded, I think his muffs should be a bit more prominent and fuller, but that can be worked out with better bearded girls. Would love to see more pictures of him, this isn't enough to make this kind of determination.
 
How old is he?  He has a nice high tail and a nice dark comb.  Also, his wings are held parallel to the ground, which you don't see a lot in boys.  My boys tend to drop their wings once they hit 5-6 months of age.  If he is only 4-5 months old, I'd hang onto him.  What do his wings look like?  Fan them out and look at the feathers to see if they are nice and even, no spaces with no over-shredding.  What do his feet and toes look like?  I can't see if they have decent feathering or not.  If he's young, he's really not bad at all.  If he's already over a year old, then this is as good as it gets.  If he is a bearded, I think his muffs should be a bit more prominent and fuller, but that can be worked out with better bearded girls.  Would love to see more pictures of him, this isn't enough to make this kind of determination.

Hawkeye, I'm sending you a PM now....
 
Just posting pics of the two birds I'll be showing next month. Hoping they are in better condition and ready to show by then.


 
Just posting pics of the two birds I'll be showing next month. Hoping they are in better condition and ready to show by then.



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... My show is tomorrow, but I give up already!
 
hang in there! Ask them how long they've been breeding and perfecting their line! Don't worry, you'll get there too with careful culling! :)

ETA-- have a plan and stick with it-- know what you are wanting to accomplish each time you breed. :)
well one of my girls is still uncomfortable with picking up, and the other is starting to molt
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I know they can look good, butI don't know how they will show off at the show.
 
NICE! Put that girl's crest up in paper tape until the show, and see what an improvement that will make. Try putting them on Kitty Litter too!

I've tried using the hair tape before -- can never get it to stay in. LOL Are you thinking to emphasize a more globular appearance? I agree her crest is a little flat.

What is the benefit of the cat litter? Heard of people using it, but don't know if that'd be worth using instead of the very fine shavings I use now. I assume the kitty litter you mean is the old fashioned kind -- NOT the clumping kind. I'll be cage training them soon, too, but will line the bottom of the cage so as to not have the wire damage any feathers.
 
Girl, they look ready NOW! Seriously, I love these birds! Beautiful! I think that girl of yours should be a winner. ;)

Thanks, Loralee. She does look really good right now. I'm worried she'll go broody before I get her up to the show. LOL

And he has a lot of underfluff that needs to be covered by pin feathers. I do a little "rain" dance for feathering every day in hopes of getting everything looking full and shiny in time. LOL
 

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