Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

Bad wings have been common in Silkies for at least 35+ years, They are NOT a recent phenomena. Breeders always used to cull for slipped,or split wings. I think the problem has become more severe because many breeders put those bad winged birds on traders' row. Novices bought them, and bred them without being aware of the fault. What had been a recessive gene, became a dominant one.
I find that sad..

Probably because so many less people use silkies for meat when they have a fault and just sell them as pets. At least here it is that way. I wouldn't eat a silkie. The black meat would turn me off. Is that just me? We don't have anyone stalking our shows/sales for meat as Chickendales mentioned.
 
I find that sad..
Probably because so many less people use silkies for meat when they have a fault and just sell them as pets. At least here it is that way. I wouldn't eat a silkie. The black meat would turn me off. Is that just me? We don't have anyone stalking our shows/sales for meat as Chickendales mentioned.
We don't either. I advertise on CraigsList for my boys and if they are pet quality, I sell them at eating prices. I'm pretty sure a couple of them have been eaten, but I know some others of mine have gone to pet homes. I couldn't eat black meat either! I need someone who is interested in eating my birds-- I have 4 more to go before winter! And they should not be bred. But I can't kill them myself if someone just wants a pet, and it seems a waste for me to kill them and not eat them or do anything with their bodies.
 
I would have thought you could tell earlier as well Tiki.. That is until I waited and was very happy with the ending outcome. She is not missing a single feather in her wings, and holds them nice and tight
big_smile.png

We just got back from Canadian Nationals (didn't show any birds), and I was shocked that our provincial show had many more silkies than this national.. Not a single partridge. There was only one AOV colour (blue cream I think) - If anyone here showed those two - I liked them best
wink.png
- There were nice splashes, and of course the whites.. I left before judging unfortunately..
There were also 'blacks' that looked very much like Hawkeye's dark blues. Only 1 blue was shown besides the two black I believe.. If I missed colours - correct me.. All I saw was BBS, White and those 2 AOV colours.
hmm.png
yes the show was great everyone was shocked how many silkies were there and the qualty of the birds and the Blue cream were awsome which seems like barb s going with opal as the judged told her the blacks were amazing aswell and the splashes were awsome i was very glad to see a splash win first time in a ontario show that any other silkie then white won best of breed the best part is i didnt win but i got to see my freinds win so felt like a win for me aswell
 
ZC
ZC
ZC


These are the two new blacks I got. Love the type on the rooster. His crest is really on the small side, but the pullet has a big crest, so I think it should work out great. :) The owner also told me that the rooster's crest had been pulled out, so maybe it's bigger than I think...? Pretty happy so far.
 
yes the show was great everyone was shocked how many silkies were there and the qualty of the birds and the Blue cream were awsome which seems like barb s going with opal as the judged told her the blacks were amazing aswell and the splashes were awsome i was very glad to see a splash win first time in a ontario show that any other silkie then white won best of breed the best part is i didnt win but i got to see my freinds win so felt like a win for me aswell  

I liked the splashes a lot. Some really nice ones there. Who is it that showed them? Barb?

Also - wish you had have shown some of your partridge birds!

200x200px-LL-4dec59ae_IMG_8093.jpeg
  
200x200px-LL-b35c963b_IMG_8094.jpeg
  
200x200px-LL-6260a7a1_IMG_8090.jpeg


These are the two new blacks I got.  Love the type on the rooster.  His crest is really on the small side, but the pullet has a big crest, so I think it should work out great.  :)  The owner also told me that the rooster's crest had been pulled out, so maybe it's bigger than I think...?  Pretty happy so far.
Hawkeye, can you insert your images another way? I can't click them :/ I really want to see the cock in a larger image :p
 
Last edited:
Overdue reporting on the Canadian Nationals on Saturday: BRILLIANT day for my first time showing. I'm still trying to get back down to earth ... Mickey and Minnie, my black Silkies, were 1st in both their classes, and also took BV and RV. My Splash pullet, Evangeline, took second to the Splash pullet that won the whole enchilada (Best of Breed out of 40!) which totally made my day! Congratulations to Sara for that spectacular win. (And Catdance Silkies who is really responsible for most of these birds as all we did was hatch them!) Kurt and Jessica, my "Opals" as the judge labelled them, (aka - Porcelains/Blue Cream) were awarded BV and RV in the AOV class with Jess getting special mention and my colourful Kurt being a TOTAL crowd favourite even if the judge, Terry Britt, just barely tolerated him. (Kurt has some issues that still need to be worked on. Too much colour, big comb, light eyes.) He (the judge) had GREAT things to say about Jessica and felt that I would do well moving forward with the pair.

My white cockerel, Elliot, did me MOST proud. Took 3rd against some of the best in North America (Shorty Polston and Joe McHugh who also received RB for his white pullet.) Experienced showers and breeders. 8 in Elliot's class and he kept up. My cup runneth over.
love.gif
Needless to say, I had a GREAT day! Made a point of asking Terry if my birds were too big. He said everybody is right in line with what he is seeing all over North America right now. His assessment of my birds was completely in line with my own which gives me great confidence.

Nobody was DQ'd, not even my splash pullet with the extra toenail - and she even placed! Learned a lot. Was great to have the opportunity to have so many experienced judges and breeders willing to look at and handle my birds, offer opinions, and advice. I am VERY excited to move forward.
 
Overdue reporting on the Canadian Nationals on Saturday: BRILLIANT day for my first time showing. I'm still trying to get back down to earth ... Mickey and Minnie, my black Silkies, were 1st in both their classes, and also took BV and RV. My Splash pullet, Evangeline, took second to the Splash pullet that won the whole enchilada (Best of Breed out of 40!) which totally made my day! Congratulations to Sara for that spectacular win. (And Catdance Silkies who is really responsible for most of these birds as all we did was hatch them!) Kurt and Jessica, my "Opals" as the judge labelled them, (aka - Porcelains/Blue Cream) were awarded BV and RV in the AOV class with Jess getting special mention and my colourful Kurt being a TOTAL crowd favourite even if the judge, Terry Britt, just barely tolerated him. (Kurt has some issues that still need to be worked on. Too much colour, big comb, light eyes.) He (the judge) had GREAT things to say about Jessica and felt that I would do well moving forward with the pair.

My white cockerel, Elliot, did me MOST proud. Took 3rd against some of the best in North America (Shorty Polston and Joe McHugh who also received RB for his white pullet.) Experienced showers and breeders. 8 in Elliot's class and he kept up. My cup runneth over.  :love  Needless to say, I had a GREAT day! Made a point of asking Terry if my birds were too big. He said everybody is right in line with what he is seeing all over North America right now. His assessment of my birds was completely in line with my own which gives me great confidence.

Nobody was DQ'd, not even my splash pullet with the extra toenail - and she even placed! Learned a lot. Was great to have the opportunity to have so many experienced judges and breeders willing to look at and handle my birds, offer opinions, and advice. I am VERY excited to move forward.
Barngoddess, I took pictures. I will have to share with you. Not sure where your Elliot was in there. There was one white male that did look very large. Was that him? He was tall, not fat or anything. At the end of the row.

Also congrats!

Your opals were my favourite :D
 
Last edited:

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom