Silkie show potential age?

[BirdieandFifi]

Hi,
I have a splash silkie from show lines but I know just because the parents are show lines doesn’t mean the offspring is. I also know that not all show birds throw show quality chicks.

My splash silkie is 3 months old and she’s still feathering in some. I’ve read a lot on the silkie standard; ie tight wings, toe feathering, 5 toes, short body?! While a lot of this sounds eaey to asses for most, newbs like me find all this confusing. To me a lot of it seems subjective.

So my question is, at what age can you look at a silkie and make an assumption she would do well at a show? I of course think my splash silkie is beautiful but I don’t have a vetran eye on what to look for and my other silkie is from a hatchery so naturally I think my breeder silkie is perfect.

I have some pictures if anyone cares to give me their opinion. I didn’t post them because I didn’t know if it’s too soon to tell.

 

[paddock36]

Hi,
I have a splash silkie from show lines but I know just because the parents are show lines doesn’t mean the offspring is. I also know that not all show birds throw show quality chicks.

My splash silkie is 3 months old and she’s still feathering in some. I’ve read a lot on the silkie standard; ie tight wings, toe feathering, 5 toes, short body?! While a lot of this sounds eaey to asses for most, newbs like me find all this confusing. To me a lot of it seems subjective.

So my question is, at what age can you look at a silkie and make an assumption she would do well at a show? I of course think my splash silkie is beautiful but I don’t have a vetran eye on what to look for and my other silkie is from a hatchery so naturally I think my breeder silkie is perfect.

I have some pictures if anyone cares to give me their opinion. I didn’t post them because I didn’t know if it’s too soon to tell.

My son has shown Silkies for seven years. I'm not an expert but know a little just from helping him. There is a certain "body type" that is important, and other things like comb coloring, and crest size. It's a learning process. I'd love to see pictures, but at three months old there is still alot of growing to do.

 

[BirdieandFifi]

My son has shown Silkies for seven years. I'm not an expert but know a little just from helping him. There is a certain "body type" that is important, and other things like comb coloring, and crest size. It's a learning process. I'd love to see pictures, but at three months old there is still alot of growing to do.

There is a ton to learn! And I figured 3 months was too young like you said but I saw on some other boards others were showing fairly young (maybe 6 months?!) so I’m trying to figure out what to look for!

 

[BirdieandFifi]

I just gave her a bath but I didn’t brush her out. The bedding I have in her brooder is kind of a no go for silkies since it got all stuck to her. She looks like a hot mess in the pictures I know! Also her feet are so fluffy it’s hard to take a picture of them. I should have taken these pictures during the day too. Maybe I can try to get better ones tomorrow. And again, a lot of feathering still coming in. She gets thicker/fuller feathered by the day.

Another things....do you (or anyone else) know if there is a certain type of temperment that’s ideal? My silkie, Sparkles, is so shy that she has a tendency to lower her head which makes her look longer than she is. And it’s hard to see her structure behind all that fluff, especially when she’s all hunched over! She’s one of those birds that I can leave outside in one area, come back 3 hours later and she’s moved maybe an inch lol. She is like so scared and shy. She hardly makes any noise too! Is she really even a chicken?! Lol

 

[BirdieandFifi]

Anyone have an opinion on her? Did I post in the right forum area? Do I need pictures where the lighting is better? Is she too young?

 

[paddock36]

I think she is looking good so far. The 3rd picture above is showing good type from the side profile. Try poofing her tail upwards. A nice full poofing tail is important. (Not proper show terminology of course). I'm not seeing any obviously defects from the pictures so far.

 

[Table4Six]

View attachment 1687997 View attachment 1687998 View attachment 1687999 View attachment 1688000 View attachment 1688001 View attachment 1688002 I just gave her a bath but I didn’t brush her out. The bedding I have in her brooder is kind of a no go for silkies since it got all stuck to her. She looks like a hot mess in the pictures I know! Also her feet are so fluffy it’s hard to take a picture of them. I should have taken these pictures during the day too. Maybe I can try to get better ones tomorrow. And again, a lot of feathering still coming in. She gets thicker/fuller feathered by the day.

Another things....do you (or anyone else) know if there is a certain type of temperment that’s ideal? My silkie, Sparkles, is so shy that she has a tendency to lower her head which makes her look longer than she is. And it’s hard to see her structure behind all that fluff, especially when she’s all hunched over! She’s one of those birds that I can leave outside in one area, come back 3 hours later and she’s moved maybe an inch lol. She is like so scared and shy. She hardly makes any noise too! Is she really even a chicken?! Lol

So far, body characteristics, full crest, etc. are looking good. Very pretty bird. I also thought I should add your bird is looking like a cockerel to me.

 

[BirdieandFifi]

I think she is looking good so far. The 3rd picture above is showing good type from the side profile. Try poofing her tail upwards. A nice full poofing tail is important. (Not proper show terminology of course). I'm not seeing any obviously defects from the pictures so far.

Thanks! I’ll try puffing her tail out more. Since these pictures it’s gotten huge! But I just need to work with her on her posture. She’s like insecure or something. I think my fault. She was picked on as a chick so I separated her and now she doesn’t know how to be a chicken and is scared of the world. But looks wise, I’m super excited to see how she matures!

 

[BirdieandFifi]

So far, body characteristics, full crest, etc. are looking good. Very pretty bird. I also thought I should add your bird is looking like a cockerel to me.

Thanks! She is a pretty girl. She’s had a really pretty round head since she was 4 weeks old. That’s when I started to wonder if she’s got some show potential. That and her lines would indicate there’s a good possibility she would be. And just an FYI, she’s been blood tested so she is in fact a pullet

 

[Table4Six]

Thanks! She is a pretty girl. She’s had a really pretty round head since she was 4 weeks old. That’s when I started to wonder if she’s got some show potential. That and her lines would indicate there’s a good possibility she would be. And just an FYI, she’s been blood tested so she is in fact a pullet

Here is a picture of my show quality hen. I will try to get better pictures to show detail of what makes/meets the breed standard. All black skin, five toes, etc. are also must haves.