Silkie thread!

[Sanna]

HELP!
If I were to take one of my hens to a Fair to show. What do I need to do? I have read through the fair rules, healt requirements etc. I just don't have a clue what showing your bird involves? How does it all work? What do I do?
When it's time for my bird to be judged, do I personally need to do something or does the judge take the bird out?
I think I better go to a fair or two and watch what happens before I take a bird myself. But maybe some of you that already have the experience, could give me good advice?

 

[Hawkeye95]

We have our state fair coming in a bout 6 weeks and I was really hoping to be able to have my DD show but all of our best hens are broody and our 2 rooster arn't in the best of shape from freeranging and getting picked on by the girls..... We have 2 pullets I am considering to have her enter the Jr class with but not sure if i am just wishfully and its pointless to enter or not. We have been to a few shows but they didn't have a large turn out for silkies at the last couple so I am still learning what goes and what other people have. I know the breed standards but I mean more or less about what sort of compitition there is for younger pullets, etc... As far as entering pullets what age is a good age to start showing them? I know obviously under a year but these are immature birds so how well developed should they be?
Below is pictures of the 2 pullets I am thinking? Please keep in mind they have been in a coop with lots of others and freeranging so they aren't perfect but I will be seperating them into cages for the next 6 weeks and giving them limited free range time alone. Also they were not cooperating with the camera and its just my phone and its really crappy.....



Normally she has really good wing placement and her tail is up straiter but she was trying to jump off and I just pushed her chest back before snapping the shot.



What do you think? How well do you think they would do in a Jr. pullet class shown by my daughter? We will not be showing 4h at fair this year as we didn't make it in time but we have until Aug 15th to get the paperwork in for open Jr. classes so I am thinking that would be our best route.....? The black is friendly and does great in a cage while the porcelain needs a little work on socializing.....

Your black might actually be black. Anyway, they both look okay. I'd take them both and use it as a learning experience.They look good enough to have fun with, for sure. Just jump right in there and do it!

ETA-- oh as far as how young-- it doesn't matter too much so long as they are filled in nicely. You could take a 4 month old if they looked pretty decent. And worst case, you learn a whole lot while you're there and are better prepared for next time.

HELP!
If I were to take one of my hens to a Fair to show. What do I need to do? I have read through the fair rules, healt requirements etc. I just don't have a clue what showing your bird involves? How does it all work? What do I do?
When it's time for my bird to be judged, do I personally need to do something or does the judge take the bird out?
I think I better go to a fair or two and watch what happens before I take a bird myself. But maybe some of you that already have the experience, could give me good advice?

The fair will require you to have a pullorum/typhoid testing done within 90 days. Depending on the show, they may accept proof of a bird from an NPIP flock. Some shows don't. The ones I've been to have all required the 90 day certificate. It's easy to get, call your county extension office and ask for testing. You should also have state testers listed on your extension site. Ours does.

I wash my birds, trim nails, (buy a styptic stick-- you can find them next to men's razors in Walmart-- it will stop blood flow if you mess up on their toenails). You are usually not allowed in the same aisle as the judge. He will remove your bird and look at it, talk to his clerk, and they will record notes. You can't ask any questions until the entire judging is over. Once it's over, then you can talk to him.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Thank you, Peeps. I always like hearing from you.

(I hope others will take a look and chime in also.) Do you mind if I ask you about some of your comments?

-I wondered if I was opening the wings correctly. They didn't appreciate it very much and I didn't want to hurt them.

Plus, it was a challenge taking the picture with one hand and trying to open the wing with the other hand. I think they are all OK, though. At some point they were open all the way and looked like a fan -but they would pull it closed before I could get a picture.
-What exactly is "good type"? Are they looking for the 'S' look or something completely different?

(This statement always confuses me a little)
-So, you think the splash is a 'Cleon"? What convinced you that it's a boy? I guess that would be great if both Mysty Blue and BB were pullets. Yes, he does have good feathering to the middle toe. And, I can see where new feathers are growing in also. I just realised, he's the chick that had some peachy toes. Although the toes have darkened to a charcoal color, the toenail is still white (on those particular toes). Is that acceptable or a DQ Do you know if that is genetic to offspring? (I think he was one of the last to hatch and needed help)
-Do you have gender guesses for BB and Mysty Blue? I'm especially on the fence about BB.
-I've heard from a couple breeders that the single comb gene is recessive. But, I'm not sure I want to add that DQ to my breeding flock. It looks like I'm down to a threesome (which is fortunately OK with chickens I think)

Do you want to hear something exciting? I'm getting a dozen more b/b/s hatching eggs in September so I have a good feeling that my breeding pen will be just about right by next spring.

http://www.hattricksilkies.net/articles_split_wing.html This link show you how to hold the wings out to examine them. Your wings looked fine. Type is the over all figure of the bird-- with a nice curve-- chest bumps out, nice big tail/cushion on back-- overall "round" look to the bird. NOT rangy and long and scraggly. For example-- this was my rooster (sold him) but he has a long back, poor type. his tail and hackles (neck feathers) should be touching. Lacking crest, has hard feathers in his tail, red comb and wattles, lacking feathers on his legs and feet.

The dark blue is also mine-- and she isn't the best on type--- her cushion/tail could be bigger and higher. But she has the nice chest and S shape in front. Lacking in rear, though.
This is a chick--- but is really showing off type, even though it's tiny. LOL

Just think of having that curve on an adult with the chest out like that, head upright, and of course more "oomph" in the rear! With a nice crest on top, and tight wings. You could also go to the ASBC site and look at pictures of birds that have won and look at their body shape. They will be nice and round.



ETA--- oh and i would not breed a bird with a single comb. Not when you can use two good birds.

 

[Sanna]

The fair will require you to have a pullorum/typhoid testing done within 90 days. Depending on the show, they may accept proof of a bird from an NPIP flock. Some shows don't. The ones I've been to have all required the 90 day certificate. It's easy to get, call your county extension office and ask for testing. You should also have state testers listed on your extension site. Ours does.

I wash my birds, trim nails, (buy a styptic stick-- you can find them next to men's razors in Walmart-- it will stop blood flow if you mess up on their toenails). You are usually not allowed in the same aisle as the judge. He will remove your bird and look at it, talk to his clerk, and they will record notes. You can't ask any questions until the entire judging is over. Once it's over, then you can talk to him.

On the CT state fair requirements (http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/inspection_regulation/2012__fair_and_show_requirements.pdf), there is a section where it says "A complete list, containing the name of the exhibitor, address, animal ID (ear tag, tattoo, leg band), breed and age of [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]each [/FONT][/FONT]animal "
Where would I get a leg band for my birds? Is that something a vet will do?

The more I read about all these things, the more confusing it gets.

I guess I better call the animal health division and ask more questions. I bet it's going to cost me an arm and a leg. lol

 

[aoxa]

On the CT state fair requirements (http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/inspection_regulation/2012__fair_and_show_requirements.pdf), there is a section where it says "A complete list, containing the name of the exhibitor, address, animal ID (ear tag, tattoo, leg band), breed and age of each animal "
Where would I get a leg band for my birds? Is that something a vet will do?

The more I read about all these things, the more confusing it gets.
I guess I better call the animal health division and ask more questions. I bet it's going to cost me an arm and a leg. lol

The vet bands birds here when they vaccinate for ILT which is a show requirement in Canada. Other than that, we don't require anything like NPIP certification or thyroid tests. That all seems really complicated!

 

[Hawkeye95]

On the CT state fair requirements (http://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/inspection_regulation/2012__fair_and_show_requirements.pdf), there is a section where it says "A complete list, containing the name of the exhibitor, address, animal ID (ear tag, tattoo, leg band), breed and age of [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]each [/FONT][/FONT]animal "
Where would I get a leg band for my birds? Is that something a vet will do?

The more I read about all these things, the more confusing it gets.

I guess I better call the animal health division and ask more questions. I bet it's going to cost me an arm and a leg. lol

It won't cost very much, really. Sometimes, our state will have "free days" right before a big show. Other times, it will cost about $2 a bird to have them tested. If you are going to get NPIP tested, then that will cost more, but not outrageous. Depending on your rules, you might need a "closed band" which means you will need a tool to put it on-- those are usually metal. Otherwise, you can buy bands online at randall burkey that are plastic and can slip on. Mine have open bands, and I was told it was acceptable. They are the kind you buy online. Band your birds, and then they will record the number when they do your testing and fill out your certificate form. If they require a different band, then usually the tester is in the know of which kind you need and will let you know where to purchase them. Bands are pretty inexpensive.

 

[Sanna]

It won't cost very much, really. Sometimes, our state will have "free days" right before a big show. Other times, it will cost about $2 a bird to have them tested. If you are going to get NPIP tested, then that will cost more, but not outrageous. Depending on your rules, you might need a "closed band" which means you will need a tool to put it on-- those are usually metal. Otherwise, you can buy bands online at randall burkey that are plastic and can slip on. Mine have open bands, and I was told it was acceptable. They are the kind you buy online. Band your birds, and then they will record the number when they do your testing and fill out your certificate form. If they require a different band, then usually the tester is in the know of which kind you need and will let you know where to purchase them. Bands are pretty inexpensive.

This is good information. Thank you!
I will get in touch with the vet and see what exactly I have to have done.

 

[CALI CHICK]

http://www.hattricksilkies.net/articles_split_wing.html This link show you how to hold the wings out to examine them. Your wings looked fine. Type is the over all figure of the bird-- with a nice curve-- chest bumps out, nice big tail/cushion on back-- overall "round" look to the bird. NOT rangy and long and scraggly. For example-- this was my rooster (sold him) but he has a long back, poor type. his tail and hackles (neck feathers) should be touching. Lacking crest, has hard feathers in his tail, red comb and wattles, lacking feathers on his legs and feet.

The dark blue is also mine-- and she isn't the best on type--- her cushion/tail could be bigger and higher. But she has the nice chest and S shape in front. Lacking in rear, though.
This is a chick--- but is really showing off type, even though it's tiny. LOL

Just think of having that curve on an adult with the chest out like that, head upright, and of course more "oomph" in the rear! With a nice crest on top, and tight wings. You could also go to the ASBC site and look at pictures of birds that have won and look at their body shape. They will be nice and round.



ETA--- oh and i would not breed a bird with a single comb. Not when you can use two good birds.

Hawkeye, thank you so much for the link about split-wing. I tried to follow the discussion the other day but could not log into the other site because I'm not a member. The pictures from 'Hattrick' were SO helpful and I feel like I know what I'm looking for now. Also, thank you for examples of correct "type". I guess I'm a visual person because it all makes since now! By the way, do you think we can TEACH a few of our silkies how to stand and have the "look"-LOL! Or is it a "if they've got it they've got it" kind of thing?

To show my gratitude in answering my long post, here is a little bit of CUTENESS for ya'll to enjoy! Of course, anyone else is welcome to critique and guess genders of my 3 chicks.

These are my 4 precious chicks that I hatched from Mary Robbins Blue/Black pens back in February:

 

[peepblessed]

Thank you, Peeps. I always like hearing from you.

(I hope others will take a look and chime in also.) Do you mind if I ask you about some of your comments?

-I wondered if I was opening the wings correctly. They didn't appreciate it very much and I didn't want to hurt them.

Plus, it was a challenge taking the picture with one hand and trying to open the wing with the other hand. I think they are all OK, though. At some point they were open all the way and looked like a fan -but they would pull it closed before I could get a picture.
-What exactly is "good type"? Are they looking for the 'S' look or something completely different?

(This statement always confuses me a little)
-So, you think the splash is a 'Cleon"? What convinced you that it's a boy? I guess that would be great if both Mysty Blue and BB were pullets. Yes, he does have good feathering to the middle toe. And, I can see where new feathers are growing in also. I just realised, he's the chick that had some peachy toes. Although the toes have darkened to a charcoal color, the toenail is still white (on those particular toes). Is that acceptable or a DQ Do you know if that is genetic to offspring? (I think he was one of the last to hatch and needed help)
-Do you have gender guesses for BB and Mysty Blue? I'm especially on the fence about BB.
-I've heard from a couple breeders that the single comb gene is recessive. But, I'm not sure I want to add that DQ to my breeding flock. It looks like I'm down to a threesome (which is fortunately OK with chickens I think)

Do you want to hear something exciting? I'm getting a dozen more b/b/s hatching eggs in September so I have a good feeling that my breeding pen will be just about right by next spring.

I can't imagine trying to open wings and photograph too! You did well! You definitely don't want to force the wing open. It takes some patience. I picked boy because of stance, expression and comb development, but of course I could be wrong. Hope you get some more input. Type is tough to describe. It's a look where the chest is thrust out in front of the head and neck so that the head neck and chest form an S shape. This also shortens the back so that the hackles and tail meet. I took this photo of one of my little Catdance pullets a couple of days ago. It was terribly hot so her wings were a bit droopy but I think she has good type. Her chest isn't as round as it should be but she is just barely 4 months old so hopefully it will fill in.


Light toenails are not a DQ. Maybe lose a point or two and yes they are passed on. That splash was the only one that looked roo to me.

 

[kiaa]

prety breeds