Silkie egg color, vaultred head?

[Ms Ellen]

Now that I have been a silkie mom for all of two days I have some questions:

One breeder sent me silkie eggs that were all a medium light brown color. Maybe one shade lighter than typical store bought brown eggs. Another breeder from a different place sent me silkie eggs that are all almost white with a tiny tinge of color? What is typical? What should they be? Why is there so much variation between breeders though not within?

Why do some silkies have vaulted heads and others of the same batch not? Recessive gene? Are they supposed to have a vaulted head or not, is this part of the breed standard? Why?

THanks for answering this newbie's questions.

 

[kentuckysilkies]

Egg color can vary widely from white to light brown. Some breeders have even introduced Ameracanas into their Silkie lines to get green and blue eggs from their Silkies.

As for vaulted skulls it is a genetic issue; some will have them others will not. I do not believe that it is a requirement for the standard. I like the vaulted ones because they usually have larger crests. The birds with vaulted skulls are more vulnerable to head injuries so they require a little more protection.

 

[Ms Ellen]

Thanks. I have no idea what to look for when deciding which of these chicks to keep. I don't even know what colors they are.

 

[LilPeeps]

Can you post pics?