Silkie chick with a tiny striaght comb and ...

[Bec]

5 toes on one foot but not on the other?? Is this most likely a mix?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Single combed, 4 toed bird. It could be a mix, but both genes occur in Silkies.

 

[Bec]

So she may not be mixed at all?
How common is it to have a straight comb in silkies? What are their toes supposed to look like?
Here is a picture of her , she was not feeling good...she was constipated. She is feeling much better now!

Edit: Sorry about the poopy, that is their play wooly they get to run around on!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

How common? Well, it depends on the source. Single comb or incorrect number of toes is very common on hatchery birds. Likewise light skin and eyes.

These faults do occur in good quality stock, but as long as they are sold or given away as pet quality birds, and the trait is bred against it isn't that big an issue. Ideally you don't want to produce birds with these faults.

 

[Bec]

I am not sure where they came from, the man I bought them from had gotten them at an auction then found out he wasn't able to have them where he lives, so he offered them to me in response to my ad.
I am not planning on showing or breeding, just wanted some cute little fluffies! I love them, goofy toes and all!

I really had no idea that they could have straight combs, where does that come from?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

The only naturally occuring color of Silkie is the whites, everything else was man made. Single combs and other undesireable traits came from the breeds that were used to introduce the new colors.

 

[Bec]

Oh wow, that is interesting! So it could have come from somewhere way back! See? You learn something new everyday!