Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Sonoran Silkies]

one more question. I was watching my "girls" a minute ago... is it possible to have a cockerel who looks like a pullet even at 10 months and doesn't crow? The splash "pullet" I have acts very boyish and doesn't lay eggs, but hasn't crowed even when egged on by other roosters. Looking at "her" tail today too it seems she has gotten even more stiff tail feathers since the last time I looked. I will post a video of them while they are eating now so you can maybe see what I mean by acting boyish.

I didn't see any behavior of either bird that was gender indicative?

Yes, a bird can be older than 8 months and you still not sure of gender. I've had more than one that was older than that (one didn't lay until she was over 13 months, and a boy did not begin developing male features until he was almost 10 months. Just this weekend I spoke with a breeder who's white pullet turned into a cockerel at about 11 months. This is someone who knows chickens; not just silkies; a lot of breeds.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

There are plenty of people who want silkies to be broodies that hatch or raise chicks and even ducklings. Just about any chicken is good at pest patrol, and virtually all hens will lay eggs for breakfast and baking; even broody breeds such as silkies. And people who want a few backyard pets are happy to get birds that are not usable for exhibition. I have no problem with the idea of passing on a living creature to someone for whom the fit is right. I do not eat chicken, but I can understand those who cull to the stew pot. Personally I DO see a moral issue in killing and trashing a creature just because it does not meet what is at best an arbitrary standard created by humans for human aesthetics.

I am more than happy to see my birds re-homed into a "right fit" situation (I've done it and I will continue to do it) but I've also been sincerely dismayed to see my rehomed/culled birds end up in horrible situations.

Leaves even lowly ole me facing a true conundrum.

(For many of us, these creatures only see life because of the 'arbitrary standard created by humans' and the value we place on certain creatures/species. So we reproduce them. Don't even get me started on horses.

Seems to me many folks cull the way they do because they don't have the "stones" to do the deed themselves. After seeing the suffering I have passed/sold birds into - I'm finding stones. I believe it is respectful to make sure I honour their lives by honouring them in death and don't let them suffer for even a moment. I believe that is how I would like to be treated.)

 

[blessedchick]

I am more than happy to see my birds re-homed into a "right fit" situation (I've done it and I will continue to do it) but I've also been sincerely dismayed to see my rehomed/culled birds end up in horrible situations.

Leaves even lowly ole me facing a true conundrum.

(For many of us, these creatures only see life because of the 'arbitrary standard created by humans' and the value we place on certain creatures/species. So we reproduce them. Don't even get me started on horses.

Seems to me many folks cull the way they do because they don't have the "stones" to do the deed themselves. After seeing the suffering I have passed/sold birds into - I'm finding stones. I believe it is respectful to make sure I honour their lives by honouring them in death and don't let them suffer for even a moment. I believe that is how I would like to be treated.)

This is such a tough subject. Thankfully I have been able to sell my culls to awesome pet homes and know for a fact that they are being pampered like no tomorrow...until yesterday. I had 7 birds go home with someone that treated them a bit roughly putting them in carriers and just had a gruff way about them. I even stopped her at one point and asked her to please be gentle with them since they are trusting creatures. She was very accepting of that...but who knows where those birds will end up and it is really troubling me...

Have you ever told someone that they cannot purchase the birds from you? I've done it with horses, no problem, but I'm new to chickens so I wasn't sure if my house would be egged for going there...?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Sorry to unleash but I am quite frustrated lol!
I am pretty upset at myself for not paying more attention, but I realized that I have two chicks with 6 toes

. Another one has a bald spot in its scull and out of 3 whites I got, the 3 seem to be roosters

So now I have to get rid of 5 more chicks

.... and I am sure I am not done lol.

A bald spot on a chick's skull will probably fill in. Some birds feather in quite slowly.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: I was going to say fauvus, but you may well be right that that is early stage fowl pox. Keep an eye on them, and if the white areas develop into scabs, it is fowl pox. Check for mites/lice as they and other biting insects will spread it, along with the mot common vector, the mosquito. I separate birds that have developed symptoms to try t prevent those who have not from developing them. A good sized squirt of betadine in the water (enough to make it tea coloured) will help should they develop wet pox. Iodine and/or neosporin and/or listerine on the lesions will help dry them up.

If the lesions are sort of powdery, and don;t develop scabs, I would treat for fauvus. Bathe in nizoral (1% is available OTC) shampoo and use an antifungal cream. Vaginal cream is stronger than that for athelete's foot, but has the same active ingredients.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote: I disagree. Polydactyly, like blue, has varying degrees of expression. Now if the bird has the extreme allele where virtually an entire extra foot is present, I would say not to use for breeding, but not with an extra toe. However, like everything, it really depends on the rest of your flock, and the bird's other traits. If you have plenty of other equally good options, sure, pass on the bird, but if that bird is otherwise the better choice, use it.

I'm curious .... would you be more inclined to use one that has 6 toes over one that has only 4 toes - all other things being equal?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Ok guys, I need some major help. As much as I hate to admit it and I am quite embarrassed to even ask....my flock has mites, what now? I am over asking myself how this could have happened, I am so careful, but now we gotta get rid of them. They were all in the barn for Hurricane Sandy, so now basically they all have them, some less severe than others. I completely stripped out the barn, bleached the slab along with all of the fencing, carriers, and anything that they may have come into contact with, including my coop boots. They were all powdered on Friday. They are in the crests as well, how do I treat the crest. I am ok with an aggressive method of treatment, what is the fastest and most effective way to kill em dead? Is it possible to have mites and lice?

If I am treating them with the powder, how long until it kills them? I looked them over today, and the little red critters, were still alive and well.

I am so frustrated, I have been sick for the past few weeks, and now this. It took every bit of energy I had to strip the barn. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, and I know I am not alone because I have my "silkies peeps".

Bleach will kill many/most germs, but not pests such as lice/mites. For that you need a pesticide such as sevin, permethrin, permethrin, ivermectin or other products that kill mites and lice. Wild birds can bring in both, and mites can live in soil, wood (both alive and dead) and plants. Lice are very host specific; mites far less so. Yes, a bird can have both at the same time. There are many types of each, so macroscopic, some microscopic.

Products with an insect growth regulator are more effective int he long term as a single treatment may break the cycle; two certainly would. Products without an IGR may need 3 to 4 treatments or more to break the cycle.

How large is your flock? That will determine the easiest treatment method. In general I prefer flea/tick shampoo baths. Some people swear by dips. Others prefer to dust or spray the birds.

 

[littlecritters]

I was going to say fauvus, but you may well be right that that is early stage fowl pox.  Keep an eye on them, and if the white areas develop into scabs, it is fowl pox.  Check for mites/lice as they and other biting insects will spread it, along with the mot common vector, the mosquito.  I separate birds that have developed symptoms to try t prevent those who have not from developing them.  A good sized squirt of betadine in the water (enough to make it tea coloured) will help should they develop wet pox.  Iodine and/or neosporin and/or listerine on the lesions will help dry them up.

If the lesions are sort of powdery, and don;t develop scabs, I would treat for fauvus.  Bathe in nizoral (1% is available OTC) shampoo and use an antifungal cream.  Vaginal cream is stronger than that for athelete's foot, but has the same active ingredients.

Thanks! I had no idea what to do for fowl pox. I've been applying VetRx on the beaks, nostrils, above and below the eyes. Yesterday, I ran to the drugstore to buy vaginal cream, just in case this is favus. You should have seen the look on the face of the clerk when she heard it was for chickens! Then we went to Home Depot to purchase supplies in order to make a new heated waterer. Afterwards, my husband informed me that I am no longer allowed to mention chicken nipples in public any more...as apparently I was turning heads when talking about the new waterer!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yes, pesticides that are in too strong a concentration can kill the birds. However, so can both mites and lice! DE is completely ineffective for an infestation. It MAY help prevent an infestation (plenty of data for both yea and nay on that). My personal belief is that it helps, but is not enough of a preventative by itself.

Also, DE is NOT "dead algae." It is made from rock rich in diatoms: fossilized microscopic algae. It is a very effective desiccant: drying agent, and essentially slowly dehydrates the pests with which it has physical contact.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Many exhibitors spray their flocks both before and after a show.