Silkie thread!

[WVduckchick]

My understanding is that Sizzles are an unofficial crossbreed of frizzled Cochin to Silkie. They are not a true breed because two Sizzles bred together do not breed true. The only way to get the desired characteristics is to cross breeds. Sizzles can be either smooth or frizzled.

I have bred first generation with good results but breeding Sizzle to Sizzle resulted in a mess of traits so I never did it again. In fact, I decided not to breed Sizzles anymore and stick to Silkies.

This may be the way I'm leaning now also. Love my cochins too, maybe I should just develop them separately.

I'm talking about true multi-generational Sizzles. These will breed true and are like Silkies in all aspects except feather type. My local breeder has Sizzles on their 18th or 19th generation and many are show quality. All Sizzles originate in Cochin crosses but it takes several generations to create anything close to a real Sizzle.

Thanks for the input! Pretty much exactly what I needed to know!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Sizzles, being an unaccepted breed, are still just mutts. Lots of breeders are working hard to change that, but thats where we are right now. I started my project accidentally, and got lucky with the birds I used. My original cross was a frazzled (double dose frizzle) Cochin hen and a really nice quality Silkie rooster. I only kept back one pullet, because she had all the traits i was looking for. She isnt the prettiest bird in the world:

Curly Sue may have a small crest, but she nailed it everwhere else. I crossed her back to a different really nice Silkie roo and the chicks you see in the picture were the result. My f2s were much nicer. Heres one I held onto:

Much better, right? I also kept a few frizzled Sizzles and Silkies that were of the same quality. Skip a head a few generations and this is where I'm at now:

I've just recently acquired two very nice roosters (a Silkie and a Showgirl) and I expect my next hatch will be even better. Its been a really fun project. Since I'm still crossing back to Silkies, each hatch is like Christmas since I'm still getting frizzles and smooths in both feather types. Eventually I'll set my Sizzles up in their own pen and breed out the Silkie feathering and everyone will be kept separate. But, I feel like I still have some tweaking to do.

 

[WVduckchick]

Sizzles, being an unaccepted breed, are still just mutts. Lots of breeders are working hard to change that, but thats where we are right now. I started my project accidentally, and got lucky with the birds I used. My original cross was a frazzled (double dose frizzle) Cochin hen and a really nice quality Silkie rooster. I only kept back one pullet, because she had all the traits i was looking for. She isnt the prettiest bird in the world:

Curly Sue may have a small crest, but she nailed it everwhere else. I crossed her back to a different really nice Silkie roo and the chicks you see in the picture were the result. My f2s were much nicer. Heres one I held onto:

Much better, right? I also kept a few frizzled Sizzles and Silkies that were of the same quality. Skip a head a few generations and this is where I'm at now:





I've just recently acquired two very nice roosters (a Silkie and a Showgirl) and I expect my next hatch will be even better. Its been a really fun project. Since I'm still crossing back to Silkies, each hatch is like Christmas since I'm still getting frizzles and smooths in both feather types. Eventually I'll set my Sizzles up in their own pen and breed out the Silkie feathering and everyone will be kept separate. But, I feel like I still have some tweaking to do.

Wow, thank you so much! I very much appreciate the insight. One other question, should they have 5 toes, or would 4 be acceptable if they were ever accepted as a "breed"?

My cochins are much better quality than my silkies, but I might have some excellent silkie eggs on their way to me very soon. So at least I will have time to make some decisions.

Here are a few pics of my little ones, 8 weeks old. I know they aren't grand, but I'm really liking the potential possibilities.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Can someone help me out here. I have this silkie chick. The breeder told me lavender silkie. Its feathers have started coming in and look like this. This is my first time owning silkies so im not sure how they look during this stage? Maybe its normal? I thought it looks like it might be more of a cross though. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[shahtir101]

Speaking of sizzles, my eggs just got shipped and they are from a frillke,sizzle, and Silkie pen!

 

[shahtir101]

I though it heard you can show sizzles in feather legged all other fowl or something similar to that.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Can someone help me out here. I have this silkie chick. The breeder told me lavender silkie. Its feathers have started coming in and look like this. This is my first time owning silkies so im not sure how they look during this stage? Maybe its normal? I thought it looks like it might be more of a cross though. Any help would be much appreciated.

Nevermind finally found something online about it lol.

 

[QueenMisha]

I though it heard you can show sizzles in feather legged all other fowl or something similar to that.

They can be shown... but I believe the best they can place is best of variety, as they are an unaccepted breed.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Wow, thank you so much! I very much appreciate the insight. One other question, should they have 5 toes, or would 4 be acceptable if they were ever accepted as a "breed"? My cochins are much better quality than my silkies, but I might have some excellent silkie eggs on their way to me very soon. So at least I will have time to make some decisions. Here are a few pics of my little ones, 8 weeks old. I know they aren't grand, but I'm really liking the potential possibilities.

You're welcome And no, they should have 5. They should follow the Silkie standard, except for the shredded feathers.

 

[QueenMisha]

Sizzles, being an unaccepted breed, are still just mutts. Lots of breeders are working hard to change that, but thats where we are right now. I started my project accidentally, and got lucky with the birds I used. My original cross was a frazzled (double dose frizzle) Cochin hen and a really nice quality Silkie rooster. I only kept back one pullet, because she had all the traits i was looking for. She isnt the prettiest bird in the world:

Curly Sue may have a small crest, but she nailed it everwhere else. I crossed her back to a different really nice Silkie roo and the chicks you see in the picture were the result. My f2s were much nicer. Heres one I held onto:

Much better, right? I also kept a few frizzled Sizzles and Silkies that were of the same quality. Skip a head a few generations and this is where I'm at now:

I've just recently acquired two very nice roosters (a Silkie and a Showgirl) and I expect my next hatch will be even better. Its been a really fun project. Since I'm still crossing back to Silkies, each hatch is like Christmas since I'm still getting frizzles and smooths in both feather types. Eventually I'll set my Sizzles up in their own pen and breed out the Silkie feathering and everyone will be kept separate. But, I feel like I still have some tweaking to do.

I think I would have to respectfully disagree that Sizzles should be considered mutts. Certainly they are not an accepted breed and won't be for a while yet and certainly there are many tweaks to work out within their purity, but I would have to argue that after they reach 15+ generations and the stock is producing consistent quality offspring, of which some are show quality and meet the Silkie standard in all ways except their feather type, they ought to be considered purebred. I've seen my local breeder's stock (18th-19th gen) and she has some truly remarkable birds, better quality than many of the Silkies I've seen.