Silkie thread!

[friedeggs]

There are judges out there that IMO are not as tuff as they should be on wings. Im only speaking of silkies. If ever one can find a show where Glenn See is judging it would be a great thing to show under him. He is hard on them and he is a Master breeder as well. He'll give a silkie a fine tooth comb over.
And with all the hot colors out there and people selling like crazy I think people have forgotten the structure of the bird should be a primary issue. What good is the color if the frame under the bird is mediocre. And from a breeder stand point if other flocks carry issues and arent being dealt with for the better of the breed and are (many) being spread all over the country and with split wings being a major issue and you need to make outcrosses for what ever the reason and you buy stock. What are you really buying? Your birds w/i your flock could be fine and carry no recessive for splits and offspring look fine (but are now carriers) and you sell or your the buyer thinking you have clean wings and you dont know. what happens? Kinda see a snowball a effect? Like the falling of Rome. Or really like have a mouse live in the walls of your house. It mates and eventually you have an over population of a major issue and its not so easy to treat and get rid of... Sad.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Would love some opinions on these four birds, they are 7 weeks old. All have five toes and good foot feather (though you can't tell right now as they are in need of baths from playing in the water)

#1 - Black, girl I think. She's from a paint breeding




#2 - Color help, I'm thinking blue partridge, but would like some more experienced help. I'm debating whether to keep or sell this one. I think this is also a girl. This chick is about half the size of the black, but very fuzzy. Came from a different set of eggs.





#3 - blue splash, again I think a girl. She's small like #2, I'm pretty well going to sell her, but would still like some opinions on her so I can learn some more for better selection.





#4 - Picaso - paint boy, he's always had a bigger comb then the rest. When I select hens for him in the future what areas do you think I should work to improve on first?







Thank you, I look forward to your input..and don't be worried about telling me if something is really bad or not. I just want to learn so I can improve on my stock.

All look to have wing problems. BUT...at 7 weeks they are WAY too young to determine ultimate quality. Things that look like a problem now may resolve as the bird matures. Also, way too young to tell gender. I don't see any blue in the partridge.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Entirely different wording, but I just made a very identical post.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I have not seen wings with major issues until the last few years. Before that, the biggest issue was not whether they were held tightly closed, but whether they were held horizontally enough. With young birds it can be difficult to properly assess wings--they may not have the strength to hold the wing closed, and in hot weather they may not WANT to. Give them other month and watch how they usually hold their wings. Occasionally letting it relax or stretch it entirely different than habitual hanging. In a photo we see one moment in time. In real life you can watch and be vigilant over time.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Glenn is one of MANY good silkie judges

 

[stoopid]

I have heard of people clipping the wing feathers on young birds to force the bird to hold them up tighter, thus strenghtening the wing. Has anyone else heard of this?
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[marquisella]

I'm looking for those cage waterers that have a plastic, kinda long oval water holder that you screw a water or soda bottle into and hang on the outside of the cage with a wire spring. The plastic part that the water flows into, goes in between the wire of the cage and the birds drink from that.

I cannot find any in a web site. I bought one at a show last year, but cannot find them online anywhere. Does anyone know where I can purchase more on line?
I'm tired of my silkies having wet heads all the time.

Even with plastic poultry waterers, they manage to get their heads/crests wet.

 

[ThaiChick]

www.poultrysupplies.com

 

[marquisella]

I'm looking for those cage waterers that have a plastic, kinda long oval water holder that you screw a water or soda bottle into and hang on the outside of the cage with a wire spring. The plastic part that the water flows into, goes in between the wire of the cage and the birds drink from that.

I cannot find any in a web site. I bought one at a show last year, but cannot find them online anywhere. Does anyone know where I can purchase more on line?
I'm tired of my silkies having wet heads all the time.

Even with plastic poultry waterers, they manage to get their heads/crests wet.

Ok, I found some right after I posted here...

Does anyone use the type of waterer that people use for rabbits? Its a lick type instead of having a space that actually holds the water...I would think that would keep the water even cleaner.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote: Yes, they work fine. But many drip, which may not be so fine, although one that drips is a good one to help teach them to use it.