Silkie questions!!!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Well your over here No ing it all. You can not show proveable evidence that a Hatchery Bird never done well in reputable shows.

NYREDS is a licensed judge and has been for many years. I've been raising silkies for quite a few years and the winners at shows with licensed judges or any competition do not come from hatcheries.

 

[Farmergreen]

Ok, but that does not give him the right to judge something he doesn't know the facts about IE: our county Fair. I will be first to admit my Crosses are not true OEGB,s didn't think about that at the time and we could have discussed it .

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

First, that is an entirely different thread. Second, you made a point that the white needed to be a "purebred bantam." [for a cross to an OEGB to make OEGB red pyles]. And you chose to use a bantam white leghorn. Since you were the one who made the initial mention of "purebred," it seems a bit odd to get angry that he called your bird a mixed breed and questioned the judging and amount of competition where it placed. I think most anyone with experience in APA/ABA sanctioned shows or breeding to the standard would have. He wasn't the only one on that thread who questioned your use of a leghorn.

 

[jpenfield]

Unless you purchase adult birds, there is no way to be certain they are show quality. The term means different things to different people. No hatchery will have show quality silkies; some have better or poorer quality than others, but NONE have show quality.

Realize that red is a project colour, not a recognized variety. The other varieties you listed are recognized. Are you looking for bearded or non-bearded? Unless you get adults, gender is not certain or known. The American Silkie Bantam Club has a number of members from the New England area.

I am looking for whichever is allowed in shows, but i think both are so idc haha!! But I did find a breeder: Golden Egg Farms which has beautiful chickens at the juvenile age in the colors that I am looking for, my coop is coming this week, and I ordered chicks from meyer hatchery as well!!! So excited!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Kate has very nice birds; glad you were able to connect and get some nice ones! Welcome to the world of silkies!

 

[buttercup95]

Wow I feel like I was suddenly bombarded with people who are a wee bit touchy on the idea that somebody could get decent birds from anywhere but they're trusted buyers. Well good luck with your silkies I'm sorry it got taken off topic. It seems people went more out of their way to prove me wrong than to help you.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Wow I feel like I was suddenly bombarded with people who are a wee bit touchy on the idea that somebody could get decent birds from anywhere but they're trusted buyers. Well good luck with your silkies I'm sorry it got taken off topic. It seems people went more out of their way to prove me wrong than to help you.

There are many, many good breeders of silkies--all over the country--I specifically mentioned that there are a number in New England (the area of the country s/he is from, and s/he managed to connect with one of those breeders. I'm a couple thousand miles from there, and it will be much too hot to ship here for at least another month, plus I rarely ship. Would you rather have had me keep silent while s/he purchased birds from a hatchery and was disappointed when they failed to meet the quality s/he is looking for? There are some few breeds where you can get halfway decent birds from specific hatcheries, particularly in regards to waterfowl. And you pay a significant premium to do so. It is very, very common for hatchery silkies to have white skin, single combs, the wrong number of toes, poor crests. Usually not all on the same bird, but chances are if you order 25, you will get all these incorrect traits. Hatchery birds DO have a place, but exhibition silkies are not it.

This does seem to be the day or two for folks getting upset over things that shouldn't get people upset...not just this thread...several

 

[buttercup95]

Hey I'm glad you helped, but I also know that you won't get all of these traits in twenty five chicks. White skin? Wrong number of toes? really? Even hatcheries are smart about that. You could easily get poor quality birds from a respectable breeder. Also, didn't you write that "Unless you purchase adult birds, there is no way to be certain they are show quality." so how do you know unless they're adults?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I don't even know where to start. SIGH! With birds from a breeder, you can see the flock, maybe even the parents. From a breeder you can get knowledgeable advice on that specific breed and flock. You can choose to pay less for pet quality or more for show potential.

I've seen hatchery orders of silkie chicks, and yes, those faults do happen, and it is common. There are tons of posts scattered through the various silkie threads about people being disappointed with the quality of hatchery silkies and wanting the real deal.

By all means, go order silkies from a hatchery since you are so convinced that they are perfect and wonderful. I'm sure you will get the next national champion in that order.

 

[Farmergreen]

I will agree with Sonoran Silkies on this point "The best place to get Show Quality is from an "Honest Breeder." The hardest part is finding (not impossible) an honest breeder!
I breed BBR's and have 3 Generations of my line on the farm ( do I really??.) The only way to know for sure is to come all the way to Oklahoma. Also The thing about buying "Show Quality" is most of the breeding is already done. Where's the disappointments and Ultimately the Joy in the breeding process.

I started 5 yrs ago with some BBR,s bought at a flea Market, Culls from a local breeder. And I was told they were culls. I started looking into OEGBs and started my own breeding programs Do I have nice looking birds , I thing so , would they win at an APA/ABA event I know they wouldn't yet

maybe a generation or so down the road. The thing I get the most joy from is finding that 1 step better bird . My Bird!