Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[ChicksNherps]

i have used every food you think of i get my food from a local mill here in michigan if works for u use it

Could my silkies have any ill effects because they have been on layer pellets for a few months now plus oyster shells? I had no idea it would damage them!

 

[chickendales]

Could my silkies have any ill effects because they have been on layer pellets for a few months now plus oyster shells? I had no idea it would damage them!

it shouldnt and there is really no proof of damage because iknow lots people who feed layer i just dont because it didnt keep my birds in good feather condtion, i fed layer for years

 

[ChicksNherps]

it shouldnt and there is really no proof of damage because iknow lots people who feed layer i just dont because it didnt keep my birds in good feather condtion

But mine aren't laying either.

 

[chickendales]

But mine aren't laying either.

i fed layer for years and once in while when i send someone to get me feed i end up with layer because it cheaper

 

[ChicksNherps]

i fed layer for years and once in while when i send someone to get me feed i end up with layer because it cheaper

okay, but I will still feel much more comfortable with the higher protein grower after reading all the posts about food (may have been a different thread) and I have already had a rough time with these girls. They are like my babies now so only the best I can give for them!

All hail the silkies!

 

[littlecritters]

That lighter underfluff is also due to the nature of the feathering itself.  In hatchery caliber birds with very little of the 'fluff factor', yes you often see black all the way through.  However when we get into the show caliber birds, they often have feathering that is 2-3 times as long and almost twice the undercoat for density of feathering.  I can tell on my own birds when I'm bathing them especially.  I'll see a silvery tint to the base of the feathers when they are wet on a blue, whereas they are dark on a black.

Here are some pics I got of my blacks this last weekend:







This is some of the older adults taken a few weeks ago.

Thank you for answering my breeding questions awhile back on the black silkie thread. Since we started discussing blacks on here, I've been meaning to send you a PM. Our black youngsters come from Rilly10(Laura at Clover Field Farm) and are out of your rooster and Laura's black hens. They are a deep black and we love the way they are maturing. However, if you blow on their feathers the underfluff is not deep black, but a bit lighter and more of a bluish tint. The foot feathering also has some lighter hue mixed in. I am wondering if our blacks are diluted in some way....or is this normal for a black x black breedings?
Tina G.

 

[chickendales]

Thank you for answering my breeding questions awhile back on the black silkie thread. Since we started discussing blacks on here, I've been meaning to send you a PM. Our black youngsters come from Rilly10(Laura at Clover Field Farm) and are out of your rooster and Laura's black hens. They are a deep black and we love the way they are maturing. However, if you blow on their feathers the underfluff is not deep black, but a bit lighter and more of a bluish tint. The foot feathering also has some lighter hue mixed in. I am wondering if our blacks are diluted in some way....or is this normal for a black x black breedings?
Tina G.

it natural

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I just discovered this thread....I am trying to work on Silver Partridge aka gray, and am having a hard time getting a rooster. I do produce correct pullets, but my boys always have the red coming through. Anyone producing correct males?

Yes; send me an email. ([email protected]).

Although my boys are nto perfect, they have correct colouring. Too many folks like the ones with the red wings

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: 15% for STARTER?!?! That is WAY!!! too low!!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: There are very FEW national brands that are available everywhere.