Silkie thread!

[littlecritters]

For the breeders here, I have a question about selection of rooster and hen breeding pairs. When we were involved in breeding rabbits, our focus was on using beautiful bucks with our does. We found that great SQ females did not necessairly produce great babies, even when bred to a beautiful buck. And yet, the does who were not the prettiest (and def not SQ) seemed to consistently produce the most gorgeous babies when bred to top notch bucks. In the rabbit world, the emphasis was on the buck for breeding. Does a similar strategy apply to silkies? Tina

 

[littlecritters]

My rabbits match my chickens 

Too cute! Can't show my daughter these pics or she will want to get rabbits again!

 

[peepblessed]

My rabbits match my chickens

Are those lionhead's? Really cute!

 

[Hawkeye95]

For the breeders here, I have a question about selection of rooster and hen breeding pairs. When we were involved in breeding rabbits, our focus was on using beautiful bucks with our does. We found that great SQ females did not necessairly produce great babies, even when bred to a beautiful buck. And yet, the does who were not the prettiest (and def not SQ) seemed to consistently produce the most gorgeous babies when bred to top notch bucks. In the rabbit world, the emphasis was on the buck for breeding. Does a similar strategy apply to silkies? Tina

I wish I could remember where the link is to answer your question. There was a discussion back a few months ago about something similar to this. But to first answer your question, no, the rooster is not the most important factor. However, you can have rooster and hen pairings that produce better male or female lines. Some of the more professional or well versed breeders will have a pen of birds that are purposely bred to create the best roosters and another pen set up for the best females. There was a much better explanation of this a while back. I forget now where it was, or where I read it. But you still need breeder or show quality birds to produce good birds. So when you are saying you would be breeding non-SQ rabbits, that would not be the case with birds, unless they were still considered a good BQ. Maybe Peep will remember what I'm talking about and have the link!

 

[KMHunter]

So I think I have an issue with one of my 4 day old silkie chicks. It seem to have developed this head nod sideways. Like a tick almost. They have Avia Charge in the water and good starter.
I am thinking injury or neurological. It has the largest vault. Should I cull now or wait to see if it gets better?
I could take a vidoe on my phone and post if that would help?

Thanks!
Kim

 

[peepblessed]

I wish I could remember where the link is to answer your question. There was a discussion back a few months ago about something similar to this. But to first answer your question, no, the rooster is not the most important factor. However, you can have rooster and hen pairings that produce better male or female lines. Some of the more professional or well versed breeders will have a pen of birds that are purposely bred to create the best roosters and another pen set up for the best females. There was a much better explanation of this a while back. I forget now where it was, or where I read it. But you still need breeder or show quality birds to produce good birds. So when you are saying you would be breeding non-SQ rabbits, that would not be the case with birds, unless they were still considered a good BQ. Maybe Peep will remember what I'm talking about and have the link!

My memory says that certain roos produce much better than themselves and are hugely important but the same could be said for a hen. But me memory isn't all that great these days and doesn't always serve me well.

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

I'll have to take some better pics of Snowman. He seems to look just like that beautiful Splash gentleman.

So, IF he did, what would be a fair price for him?

Bouffant found a new home! I went with $25 for her. Someone had mentioned her lack of crest, but she was broody and them molting, and her crest is visibly growing back in. I hope it was a fair price for her.

 

[peepblessed]

So I think I have an issue with one of my 4 day old silkie chicks. It seem to have developed this head nod sideways. Like a tick almost. They have Avia Charge in the water and good starter.
I am thinking injury or neurological. It has the largest vault. Should I cull now or wait to see if it gets better?
I could take a vidoe on my phone and post if that would help?

Thanks!
Kim

It has a very good chance of getting better. Give it a few days but make sure it isn't suffering.

 

[peepblessed]

I'll have to take some better pics of Snowman. He seems to look just like that beautiful Splash gentleman.
So, IF he did, what would be a fair price for him?
Bouffant found a new home! I went with $25 for her. Someone had mentioned her lack of crest, but she was broody and them molting, and her crest is visibly growing back in. I hope it was a fair price for her.

You need to post photos of your guy at every angle, good comb shot, wings spread out, tops of feet and bottoms to get a valid evaluation.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote: It seems happy and active. It eats and drinks with all the rest, so I will wait. Thanks!