Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Adoravachick]

I have a question about Porcelain and Isabel colors. Are they the same? Can a white, black, blue, or splash roo be bred to Isabel colored hens?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I have a question about Porcelain and Isabel colors. Are they the same? Can a white, black, blue, or splash roo be bred to Isabel colored hens?

Certainly they CAN, the real question is whether they SHOULD. In my opinion, the answer would generally be NO, but it really depends on your intentions.

In silkies porcelain and isabel are used somewhat synonymously. Porcelain is a pattern that includes both red and black pigment, and in which both are strongly diluted. The names for these diluted hues are lavender (diluted black) and isabel (diluted buff).

With a white bird you generally have no way of knowing what other genes it is carrying, so it's like grabbing an unlabeled can out of the pantry and adding it to whatever you are cooking. Pears or cherries probably would not add in well to chili, or chili to a fruit compote, but a can of beans might mix well with the chili, or blueberries to the fruit dish.

Most breeders feel that mixing lavender and blue in one bird is a poor choice.

 

[Adoravachick]

Certainly they CAN, the real question is whether they SHOULD. In my opinion, the answer would generally be NO, but it really depends on your intentions.

In silkies porcelain and isabel are used somewhat synonymously. Porcelain is a pattern that includes both red and black pigment, and in which both are strongly diluted. The names for these diluted hues are lavender (diluted black) and isabel (diluted buff).

With a white bird you generally have no way of knowing what other genes it is carrying, so it's like grabbing an unlabeled can out of the pantry and adding it to whatever you are cooking. Pears or cherries probably would not add in well to chili, or chili to a fruit compote, but a can of beans might mix well with the chili, or blueberries to the fruit dish.

Most breeders feel that mixing lavender and blue in one bird is a poor choice.

What color would be appropriate to breed to an Isabel? Another Isabel or a buff maybe? Where would I be able to find more information on Isabels?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
What went into making your "Isabel"? I'm just wondering how you came up with the label.

 

[Adoravachick]

What went into making your "Isabel"? I'm just wondering how you came up with the label.

I know nothing about that particular color called "Isabel". I have heard it several times though. From what I have seen, the body color is a very light creamy buff color (it reminds of of buttercream frosting) with a brown (looks mahogony) neck and crest. It is quite beautiful. I ask because I am getting a few chicks next week just because I wanted something different looking to grace my chicken yard. I m not really sure what the backround of that color is?

 

[littlecritters]

Last night when I got home around 9pm, I checked on the quarantined silkies and my heart dropped when I saw the splash boy. He didn't look well at all. Sadly..he passed during the night.  

I am so sad and so upset...I'm even angry. This little guy was perfectly healthy when the breeder shipped him along with the others. The Post Office used a commercial airline instead of Fed Ex and that caused a huge problem. There was no tracking number and no way to find out where the heck our silkes were "lost".

One gorgeous pullet arrived dead, this little guy was passing blood and the other 4 were half dead.  Out of 6 birds, I now have 4 with compromised immune systems, possibly favus? and God only knows what else. Who knows if they will even be fertile after almost dying? Dehydration and heat stroke has to have taken a toll on them. I felt like an animal rescue worker the last three weeks, tube feeding, providing care and comfort.

The Post Office needs to adopt an Arrive Alive policy for live animal shipments. This shouldn't be happening! It's just not fair for animals to be treated like inanimate objects. Anyone know if there is any recourse for me with the Post Office? These animals were shipped Express with supposed guaranteed delivery times.
Tina G.

 

[Adoravachick]

Last night when I got home around 9pm, I checked on the quarantined silkies and my heart dropped when I saw the splash boy. He didn't look well at all. Sadly..he passed during the night.
I am so sad and so upset...I'm even angry. This little guy was perfectly healthy when the breeder shipped him along with the others. The Post Office used a commercial airline instead of Fed Ex and that caused a huge problem. There was no tracking number and no way to find out where the heck our silkes were "lost".
One gorgeous pullet arrived dead, this little guy was passing blood and the other 4 were half dead. Out of 6 birds, I now have 4 with compromised immune systems, possibly favus? and God only knows what else. Who knows if they will even be fertile after almost dying? Dehydration and heat stroke has to have taken a toll on them. I felt like an animal rescue worker the last three weeks, tube feeding, providing care and comfort.
The Post Office needs to adopt an Arrive Alive policy for live animal shipments. This shouldn't be happening! It's just not fair for animals to be treated like inanimate objects. Anyone know if there is any recourse for me with the Post Office? These animals were shipped Express with supposed guaranteed delivery times.
Tina G.

Oh Tina! I am sorry that you lost your little splash. You really did your best to keep him comfortable. I agree with you, it shouldn't be happening. It's tragic and cruel.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
It's very hard to know how to recommend for you to move forward without knowing what you are working with. Isabel is a colour recognized in Europe, similar to Porcelain here, but not exactly the same. Porcelain (in Silkies) as I understand it, is usually a Buff/Lavender combination. Given that what you are getting seems to be rather an unknown hodge-podge, nothing whatsoever is stopping you from breeding whatever suits your fancy. Phenotypes (the way things appear) can be very deceiving. Without knowing what went into the "soup" it's VERY hard to make recommendations on what to add. You may just have to be a bit of an artist!

 

[peepblessed]

Last night when I got home around 9pm, I checked on the quarantined silkies and my heart dropped when I saw the splash boy. He didn't look well at all. Sadly..he passed during the night.
I am so sad and so upset...I'm even angry. This little guy was perfectly healthy when the breeder shipped him along with the others. The Post Office used a commercial airline instead of Fed Ex and that caused a huge problem. There was no tracking number and no way to find out where the heck our silkes were "lost".
One gorgeous pullet arrived dead, this little guy was passing blood and the other 4 were half dead. Out of 6 birds, I now have 4 with compromised immune systems, possibly favus? and God only knows what else. Who knows if they will even be fertile after almost dying? Dehydration and heat stroke has to have taken a toll on them. I felt like an animal rescue worker the last three weeks, tube feeding, providing care and comfort.
The Post Office needs to adopt an Arrive Alive policy for live animal shipments. This shouldn't be happening! It's just not fair for animals to be treated like inanimate objects. Anyone know if there is any recourse for me with the Post Office? These animals were shipped Express with supposed guaranteed delivery times.
Tina G.

I would be absolutely sick! I am so very sorry you have had to go through this terrible ordeal!

 

[stoopid]

So sorry, Tina. You tried so hard.