Silkie thread!

[Sylvester017]

Thank you all for the education of Breeding Silkies 101 and in a simple way that I was able to understand. I wasn't interested in a genes lesson so your simpler explanations was very appreciated as I am not, nor can I breed, in our zoned area.

It was just as I thought. Silkie breedings are getting mixed up in backyard settings. I understand that Cackle Hatchery keeps their Silkie varieties separated - maybe not 100% SQ but they do keep the colors separated in their breeding pens so there shouldn't be a gene mix-up in their chicks.

My APA Ameraucana breeder keeps her Ameraucana color lines pure so I was a little confused about how Silkies could be crossbred and still give off some solid colors. I always understood that crossbreeding in a special color project was necessary for achieving and working on improving lines/strains but on this Silkie thread there are so many crossed color breedings I wasn't sure it was APA-SOP qualified. If I understand correctly these breedings really should not be entered in shows?

Thanx for the clarifications and definitely explains why show breeder stock is much more prized monetarily. It's not just to breed a perfect-looking bird, or a perfect new color, but that the lines remain genetically pure, especially within a generation after generation. Nice input everyone!

 

[Fancychooklady]

It's interesting how the U.K. and Australia breed mostly the non-bearded Silkies. Being in the USA I'm more acquainted and personally partial to the full bonneted bearded varieties although I understand bearded and non-bearded are both accepted here. Last year's County Fair that I attended had a display yard dedicated to several bearded bantam Silkies with several cute little coops placed around the yard. Guess what - they were ALL White Silkies as that seems the most endearing color to get children and adults alike hooked to the little fluffballs. It always seems to be the variety most likely to catch a newbie's attention so keep breeding those Whites fancychooklady - Smiles!

I have both bearded and non and to be honest the non bearded are more practical in my situation , I free range mine. The bearded are at a distinct disadvantage with all that fluff around their eyes.

 

[Sylvester017]

Can some of the feathers be trimmed

Someone once posted a picture of their Crested Polish with hair tape holding the crest feathers up in a "do" - the hair tape apparently is available in beauty supply stores but not necessarily in actual hair salons. Don't know if anyone has had experience or success using this tape on Silkie crests to allow vision without having to cut the facial feathers?

 

[Sylvester017]

I have both bearded and non and to be honest the non bearded are more practical in my situation , I free range mine. The bearded are at a distinct disadvantage with all that fluff around their eyes.

Yes, I can see where that would be an advantage to have non-bearded. However I free-range both my Partridge and Black beardeds and they do fine with beards. I have more incidences of them catching spider webs and straw in their crests than anything in their beards LOL ! Amazingly even when they get dirty beards they are all fluffy and clean by next morning. Same with our muffed/bearded APA Ameraucana. I think their beards get washed a bit when they drink water? - Smiles

 

[Fancychooklady]

Yes, I can see where that would be an advantage to have non-bearded. However I free-range both my Partridge and Black beardeds and they do fine with beards. I have more incidences of them catching spider webs and straw in their crests than anything in their beards LOL ! Amazingly even when they get dirty beards they are all fluffy and clean by next morning. Same with our muffed/bearded APA Ameraucana. I think their beards get washed a bit when they drink water? - Smiles

I was thinking more along the lines of ' seeing danger ' when it's staring you down. I've lost 6 x to this guy.

This little guy was one of the casualties. His momma is bearded.

 

[bantambury]

I was thinking more along the lines of ' seeing danger ' when it's staring you down. I've lost 6 x to this guy.

This little guy was one of the casualties. His momma is bearded.

MY GOD! can I move into Australia with you?!?!?!? so many beautiful exotic birds where you are! im lucky if I see an owl or eagle here in the US! LOL
albino pegrine falcon? that's my guess...

 

[Fancychooklady]

MY GOD! can I move into Australia with you?!?!?!? so many beautiful exotic birds where you are! im lucky if I see an owl or eagle here in the US! LOL
albino pegrine falcon? that's my guess...

Lol, I live in Tasmania , plenty of birds of prey here. It's a white goss hawk. We also have kookaburra , nesting sea eagles, swamp harriers and owls just to name a few. These pics are said culprits hangin around my pens.

So as you can see having fluff over your eyes can be a distinct disadvantage around here.
This little sweet heart runs into the wall each side of the door before finally finding the hole.

 

[bantambury]

Lol, I live in Tasmania , plenty of birds of prey here. It's a white goss hawk. We also have kookaburra , nesting sea eagles, swamp harriers and owls just to name a few. These pics are said culprits hangin around my pens.






So as you can see having fluff over your eyes can be a distinct disadvantage around here.
This little sweet heart runs into the wall each side of the door before finally finding the hole.

gorgeous birds! im so jealous!

 

[bhj123]

Here's my new little additions.

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[bhj123]