Silkie thread!

[khawks]

Yes its normal for hatchery birds. Breeder birds and show silkies actually have walnut combs. But hatchery's go for quantity and not quality. So genetic booboos happen .

so if i am planning on breeding some of them with some other silkies that i have, should i only breed to the one who has the walnut comb? Do you recommend that i cull the single comb?

 

[Dawnrenae]

How does everyone get such amazing pictures?

I can't get one picture of my birds to save my soul.

 

[lightchick]

How does everyone get such amazing pictures?

I can't get one picture of my birds to save my soul.

I found that the best pics come out when you go outside. Otherwise it turns everything orangeish inside. Oh and try to take pics in the shade.

 

[Dawnrenae]

I can't even get pix outside! LOL!

No one (flock) will let me take their pictures.

 

[lightchick]

I can't even get pix outside! LOL!

No one (flock) will let me take their pictures.

I usually end up taking tons of pics and only getting a few that actually are good. Sometimes you just have to grab a bird and take he/she to a spot where the chicken can't see the rest of the flock and put the chicken on a perch or something high up and usually they'll stay still (head shots are the hardest because they are always moving their heads!). Or you can have someone hold the chicken still. I have some chicks that LOVE their picture taken and some that never want to hold still and won't look at the camera.

 

[TiaRC]

so if i am planning on breeding some of them with some other silkies that i have, should i only breed to the one who has the walnut comb? Do you recommend that i cull the single comb?

I would stay with main breeding with the walnut comb. Me being how i am I wounldnt cull him just not allow his genes to pass. Single comb is a dominant trait. So you have a 75% chance of having offspring with that wrong comb. Culling would 100% elimate that problem from the start. BUT, being hatchery birds your walnut comb roo could be hiding that trait. If he has offspring with to gene be sure to sell or cull to cut risk of breeding it into the flock. Keep only good genes to breed and every generation with get stronger, bigger, and prettier.

 

[khawks]

I would stay with main breeding with the walnut comb. Me being how i am I wounldnt cull him just not allow his genes to pass. Single comb is a dominant trait. So you have a 75% chance of having offspring with that wrong comb. Culling would 100% elimate that problem from the start. BUT, being hatchery birds your walnut comb roo could be hiding that trait. If he has offspring with to gene be sure to sell or cull to cut risk of breeding it into the flock. Keep only good genes to breed and every generation with get stronger, bigger, and prettier.

Well, I am just getting into breeding to try to help with some of the feed, wire, treats, etc. This is the 3rd time in a year that i am rebuilding my flock and i just got into ornamental breeds. I want to have quality and ive been reading on breeding- so would it be ok for me to breed the babies back to their father or is that weird?

 

[TiaRC]

Well, I am just getting into breeding to try to help with some of the feed, wire, treats, etc. This is the 3rd time in a year that i am rebuilding my flock and i just got into ornamental breeds. I want to have quality and ive been reading on breeding- so would it be ok for me to breed the babies back to their father or is that weird?

It is ok. There aren't chicken inbreeding problems like in humans. Just every 4 generations change roos to establish new blood.

 

[TiaRC]

Well, I am just getting into breeding to try to help with some of the feed, wire, treats, etc. This is the 3rd time in a year that i am rebuilding my flock and i just got into ornamental breeds. I want to have quality and ive been reading on breeding- so would it be ok for me to breed the babies back to their father or is that weird?

Do you mind if I see your roo you want to use for breeding and the hens. Good pics of head, body and feet.

 

[khawks]

Do you mind if I see your roo you want to use for breeding and the hens. Good pics of head, body and feet.

Sure, if I remember this evening I will post some