Silkie thread!

Question:  I've got a silkie rooster that I am planning on breeding to my naked neck pullet, at least I was planning on it until I noticed that his 4th and 5th toes are not separate at all.  So, he essentially has only 4 toes, with one being huge because it should be 2 toes.  Better not to use him, or does it matter if I'm going to have to breed the chicks back to a different full-blood silkie in the next generation to get silkie feathering back (at least I think that's how it works?).  Basically, I'd like to try making my own showgirls is the long-term goal.  Should I use a rooster who has flawed feet in the first generation?

Lots of folks breed with little to no regard to toe placement (I prefer them to be in a nice "V" myself). Typically, my answer would be not to use him. But, you're at the very beginning of what will be a lengthy project (I'm considering the same project myself, since I can't seem to find any Showgirls :/ ). You've got to start somewhere. A lot of your f1 chicks could be missing toes anyway (among other things) so I say work with what you've got. Select carefully, and cull hard. Pick chicks that have as many correct Silkie characteristics as possible, and breed them back to the nicest Silkie you have or can find. I started my Sizzle project from scratch. The original cross was a Silkie and frizzled Cochin. I can say, from experience, expect to hatch a ton of chicks and only keep a few. Good luck!
 
Lots of folks breed with little to no regard to toe placement (I prefer them to be in a nice "V" myself). Typically, my answer would be not to use him. But, you're at the very beginning of what will be a lengthy project (I'm considering the same project myself, since I can't seem to find any Showgirls
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). You've got to start somewhere. A lot of your f1 chicks could be missing toes anyway (among other things) so I say work with what you've got. Select carefully, and cull hard. Pick chicks that have as many correct Silkie characteristics as possible, and breed them back to the nicest Silkie you have or can find. I started my Sizzle project from scratch. The original cross was a Silkie and frizzled Cochin. I can say, from experience, expect to hatch a ton of chicks and only keep a few. Good luck!

Thanks. Now my naked neck just needs to start laying again...(She adopted my 6 week old leghorn chick while I was away on vacation and hasn't recovered from being "broody"-super cute to see that fully feathered chick trying so hard to be all the way under her "mamma")
 
well not white but looks like it will be very pretty! i never wanted a white silkie but it was the only girl i got out of 3. i don't care for frizzle either but i got a white frizzle silke and we all love her...she is the cutest little girl...how can you not love any silkie anyway...have hatchery ones coming next friday..blue and buff.
 
Anyone know where I could get silkie chicks (5-8 wks old) near charleston, sc? I want them to be close in age to my chicks I have now.
 

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