Silkie thread!

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Most breeders do not select for or against vaulted skulls, and have no particular preference for them.

 

[Debbi]

Thanks Sonoran & Chickendales, I will

Ok, I did notice that while most of my 14 new babies had black shanks and toes, a couple did not. Looking at them this morning, it seems their legs/toes are getting darker. Is this typical or something to cull for? One was a huge white hatched with pink legs? The other was a Partridge, but I can't find it this morning, so I'm thinking it has colored in? The last was a really cute Black that had two pink toe tips, the shanks and other toes on each foot were black. The toes now seem to be getting darker and so are the ones on the White. Is this normal?? Thanks!

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
yes they well darken as they get older but the pink leged one would be a cull the one with pink toes i might growout see if they darken but dont crossur fingers my day my bird all hatch with realy dark legs and skin and ive got showgirls so u can see it

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
yes they well darken as they get older but the pink leged one would be a cull the one with pink toes i might growout see if they darken but dont crossur fingers my day my bird all hatch with realy dark legs and skin and ive got showgirls so u can see it

Thanks. I went out to look at them again, and glad I did. The White one does have black skin, and the legs are getting darker, dark slate as of right now. Looking around some more, I found one little Partridge had splayed legs. Taped them with vet wrap, (that was NO easy task!), and now it's running around trying to get it off.

At least now it may walk right. I've never had splayed legs before, and they are on paper towel for now, until they stop looking at the pine shavings as food. Looks like it was only the one having a problem.

 

[chickendales]

 

[LunarRayne]

I have hatchery quality silkies and I would like to know if anyone has a color cross of buff and white. I plan on breeding my pair, but I would like to know what the colors will be. I may want to wait and get some other colors before I start breeding.

Thanks everyone! I love Silkies!!

 

[ChickyChickyBaby]

Quote:
No way to really tell when you use a white.

The white can be hiding any other colors or patterns

Sonoran can explain it better than I can.........

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

White is an OFF switch; it turns OFF the display of colours or patterns genetically present in the bird. Every white can have different colours and patterns, so breeding a white to a non-white is like blindly adding an unlabeled can from the pantry to your stew--may work well if it turns out to be a can of veggies; probably not if it is a can of pie filling.

 

[featherbaby]

Quote:
Great Explanation!!!!

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
yes they well darken as they get older but the pink leged one would be a cull the one with pink toes i might growout see if they darken but dont crossur fingers my day my bird all hatch with realy dark legs and skin and ive got showgirls so u can see it

Thanks. I went out to look at them again, and glad I did. The White one does have black skin, and the legs are getting darker, dark slate as of right now. Looking around some more, I found one little Partridge had splayed legs. Taped them with vet wrap, (that was NO easy task!), and now it's running around trying to get it off.

At least now it may walk right. I've never had splayed legs before, and they are on paper towel for now, until they stop looking at the pine shavings as food. Looks like it was only the one having a problem.

When I have any with splayed legs I use that rubbery mesh-like shelf liner. I wish I knew the name of it but it is very helpful. they don't slide at all and can get a grip with their feet. It's totally washable too. I just soak it with laundry soap or dawn dish liquid and a little bleach and scrub it out, rinse and wring out. I hang them up on a hanger on the shower rod. I don't use vet wrap to make boots with either. I use cloth tape. It's easier on the feather footed breeds.