Silkie thread!

[TheRookie]

I knew I would be back I have just a few questions. 1 how hard is is to get into showing Silkies? (There is no 4H around here so that's out) and 2 I know they say hatcheries don't have show quality birds but is it possible to get one from a regular set of day old hatchery chicks?

 

[yoie]

I have one little chick that I cannot figure out what color it is suppose to be. I got it in an assortment from Ideal, but I can't find what color it resembles, they carry blue, black, white, grey, red, partridge, buff, and self blue. Any ideas? It is creamy in color with blue and red splashes of color.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

I have one little chick that I cannot figure out what color it is suppose to be. I got it in an assortment from Ideal, but I can't find what color it resembles, they carry blue, black, white, grey, red, partridge, buff, and self blue. Any ideas? It is creamy in color with blue and red splashes of color.

looks like its going to be white or splash. in a week or so check the wings and see how they are feathering in, just white - white. any blue/gray color - splash.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

I knew I would be back I have just a few questions. 1 how hard is is to get into showing Silkies? (There is no 4H around here so that's out) and 2 I know they say hatcheries don't have show quality birds but is it possible to get one from a regular set of day old hatchery chicks?

Hatcheries do not breed towards the standard. So no if you happen to get a chick that matures into a SQ or even a good BQ quality silkie out of a hatchery - play the lottery!

Really! Hatcheries are geared towards production, and the basic looks/key features of the breed - they do not selectively breed their birds like a breeder does, and even SQ birds aren't guaranteed to produce SQ or BQ babies.

Showing isn't too difficult. Contact breeders and ask around about birds for sale (not likely this time of year) if they don't ask if they'd put you on a waiting list. Many breeders prefer to sale started or adult birds. If you really want to get into showing and breeding put your money into the best you can realistically afford (or are willing to pay).

 

[peepblessed]

2 Barred Columbian roos(brothers)- project

Very pretty!!!

 

[TheRookie]

Hatcheries do not breed towards the standard. So no if you happen to get a chick that matures into a SQ or even a good BQ quality silkie out of a hatchery - play the lottery!

Really! Hatcheries are geared towards production, and the basic looks/key features of the breed - they do not selectively breed their birds like a breeder does, and even SQ birds aren't guaranteed to produce SQ or BQ babies.

Showing isn't too difficult. Contact breeders and ask around about birds for sale (not likely this time of year) if they don't ask if they'd put you on a waiting list. Many breeders prefer to sale started or adult birds. If you really want to get into showing and breeding put your money into the best you can realistically afford (or are willing to pay).

SQ and BQ? I'm a little behind on my acronyms still lol

 

[Hawkeye95]

I knew I would be back I have just a few questions. 1 how hard is is to get into showing Silkies? (There is no 4H around here so that's out) and 2 I know they say hatcheries don't have show quality birds but is it possible to get one from a regular set of day old hatchery chicks?

Don't be too quick to say there is no 4-H in your area... are you sure? We are in the middle of no where and we have a 4-H. Although, it took me 6 months of searching! Call your country extension office and they will tell you the nearest one to you. I didn't realize that and I was trying to find out thru much harder means. Wish someone had told me THAT to begin with! Then it was amazing how much you can find out at your extension office! They will also get you in contact with an NPIP tester. Your birds MUST be tested before any showing is done. (again, your extension office will know who is a state tester nearest you) And NO you can't get SQ or BQ from hatchery chicks. I have hatchery chicks-- they are a very poor representation. I gave up and bought 6 month old birds from a very reputable breeder instead. That isn't cheap, though, I spent quite a bit of money doing that. But in the long run, I don't see any way around it unless you hatch from a reputable breeder-- and then you MIGHT get something decent... but maybe not. But I'd say you have good chances-- but you could still end up with DQ's of leakage or wrong number of toes, etc, etc... Anyway, if your kids are at least 7 yrs old, better get on that FAST. Projects are due pretty much now, but I'm sure they'd let you slip in if you did it quick. Our first show is March 24th-- and they are all over the state-- places you'd never guess! Opened my eyes, for sure! We're doing breed standard judging and Showmanship. You'll learn fast people take this breeding thing pretty seriously-- but it's fun!! The people are super nice!

 

[Hawkeye95]

SQ and BQ? I'm a little behind on my acronyms still lol

SQ- show quality
BQ-- breeder quality
DQ-- disqualifying (feature on the bird)

oh and edited to add: PQ--pet quality

 

[TheRookie]

Don't be too quick to say there is no 4-H in your area... are you sure? We are in the middle of no where and we have a 4-H. Although, it took me 6 months of searching! Call your country extension office and they will tell you the nearest one to you. I didn't realize that and I was trying to find out thru much harder means. Wish someone had told me THAT to begin with! Then it was amazing how much you can find out at your extension office! They will also get you in contact with an NPIP tester. Your birds MUST be tested before any showing is done. (again, your extension office will know who is a state tester nearest you) And NO you can't get SQ or BQ from hatchery chicks. I have hatchery chicks-- they are a very poor representation. I gave up and bought 6 month old birds from a very reputable breeder instead. That isn't cheap, though, I spent quite a bit of money doing that. But in the long run, I don't see any way around it unless you hatch from a reputable breeder-- and then you MIGHT get something decent... but maybe not. But I'd say you have good chances-- but you could still end up with DQ's of leakage or wrong number of toes, etc, etc... Anyway, if your kids are at least 7 yrs old, better get on that FAST. Projects are due pretty much now, but I'm sure they'd let you slip in if you did it quick. Our first show is March 24th-- and they are all over the state-- places you'd never guess! Opened my eyes, for sure! We're doing breed standard judging and Showmanship. You'll learn fast people take this breeding thing pretty seriously-- but it's fun!! The people are super nice!

Well first off Im pretty sure theres an age limit on 4H and I know Im almost out of it. Also, thank you for the acronym lesson lol I'm sure I'll be back on here looking for someone with SQ or at least BQ in my area. I will be sure to find out how to contact my extension office and find out more info though. Thanks

 

[mama2my4]

I have one little chick that I cannot figure out what color it is suppose to be. I got it in an assortment from Ideal, but I can't find what color it resembles, they carry blue, black, white, grey, red, partridge, buff, and self blue. Any ideas? It is creamy in color with blue and red splashes of color.

no idea on the color, but Oh! So! Cute!!