Silkie thread!

[BarnGoddess01]

QUESTION ABOUT BARRED PATTERN? This girl has the barred pattern,how can I get more like her?What color would I breed her to or do I have to a rooster with that pattern?I know nothing about genetics

Barring is dominant but it is MUCH easier to get it from a barred roo because he carries two copies of the gene. Females only carry a single copy. Using a solid coloured male with your barred girl, you could end up with 50% of her male offspring carrying 1 copy of the B gene. (They would be dark barred on whatever colour you are using because they are only carrying one copy of the gene.) If you then crossed one of those males back to his barred mom, you would end up with more barred birds, male and female, to work with, also some light barred males that would, conceivably, be now carrying two copies of the gene.

 

[chisNchickens]

Wow! I can see the attitude on that little one...too cute. Great pic. Reminds me of a bully I went to high school with. You
should name her Kelly. lol

Have to share this little guy - Blue - 1 week old - enough attitude for 12 chicks. If he isn't male, she's going to be the MEANEST broody that ever lived ....

 

[chisNchickens]

I've never used buttermilk, but I always have ground raw pumpkin seeds on hand. You can buy them without
having to get a whole pumpkin. I use them with my puppies as well as the birds.

Found this it sounds pretty good. Has anyone use this method?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/403372/how-to-naturally-organically-de-worm-your-birds

 

[Hawkeye95]

WOW! Those are some FANTASTIC looking chickens! Normally, I think silkies are kind of ugly (SORRY!), but these ones are b-e-a-utiful! Maybe I will consider getting a silkie after all and I'll just hope it looks like one of yours

If you buy a silkie from a hatchery, there is NO way it will look anything like those chickens. I know first hand-- I have a few. The poor hatchery quality birds are ugly and have next to nothing for a crest and barely have feathering on their feet. Not to mention all the hard feathers in their tails. If you really want a nice silkie, buy a nice started bird, or hatch your own eggs from a reputable breeder and stay far, far away from anything "hatchery". I ended up having to plunk down some money for nice birds, but it's worth it since we're doing it for 4-H.

 

[cjsman777]

I really want to get a couple silkies does anyone know of someone in south eastern pa if so I would really appreciate it

 

[mama2my4]

I really want to get a couple silkies does anyone know of someone in south eastern pa if so I would really appreciate it

what color are you looking for? and pet quality or show, or breeders?

 

[henney penny]

Barring is dominant but it is MUCH easier to get it from a barred roo because he carries two copies of the gene. Females only carry a single copy. Using a solid coloured male with your barred girl, you could end up with 50% of her male offspring carrying 1 copy of the B gene. (They would be dark barred on whatever colour you are using because they are only carrying one copy of the gene.) If you then crossed one of those males back to his barred mom, you would end up with more barred birds, male and female, to work with, also some light barred males that would, conceivably, be now carrying two copies of the gene.

Thank you I will print this off so I can remember this

 

[kbreak]

I have decided I want to raise silkies. Any advice or tips on breeding for colors. What do I look for when culling out my chicks? I bought 16 chicks and need to start culling some. I have a 10 eggs under hen due to hatch Monday. 12 in incubator due to hatch next Friday. Then 8 under a silkie hen and 7 under another silkie hen due to hatch the first week in May.
I think most of the hens I have laying aren't bearded but are with bearded rooster. Will that increase my chances of getting some bearded chicks? Can I tell if they are bearded when they are little?
These are some I hatched should be 2 grey and a blue.

This is some pics of some of the chicks I bought.

These are my buffs and whites

These are ??? Will they be blues or possibly any splash?

 

[Nikkipar]

Cute! I can't offer any advice, but i get my first Silkie today

 

[kbreak]

I love my silkies !! Most of mine are real loving and like attention !