Silkie thread!

[peepblessed]

Ok, this has been addressed before. In Silkies, the feathering is soft, so the feathers aren't technically "vulture hocks". As a vulture hock is a group of hard feathers pointing downward, as in a D'uccle. At this age of bird, they all seem to have some sort of feathering like this, at least here, and it seems more in the roos, but it incorporates into their adult plumage. I believe Sonoran was the one that answered that question for me over a year or so ago? Maybe she can explain again?

That is great to know! I research it several months ago and never could find a photo of a silkie with the problem. No wonder! Thanks so much for the info!!!

 

[peepblessed]

Quick question about sexing my silkies. If they are starting o get color to their wattles does that mean they are male? Again they are 2 1/2 months old.

If you are seeing any red in a 2 1/2 month old silkie it is most likely a boy.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Well its more like a purpleish red. It is my blue one. If it is a boy and I crossed it over the white one what would the offspring look like?

 

[KMHunter]

Quote: Do you get your colored zip ties from places like Home Depot? I may need some.

 

[mama2my4]

Do you get your colored zip ties from places like Home Depot? I may need some.

I actually ordered mine online from Twin City Poultry

 

[mama2my4]

Here is my hatch... 7 out of 14.

 

[brahmabreeder]

The one in the top right is my favorite.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Well its more like a purpleish red. It is my blue one. If it is a boy and I crossed it over the white one what would the offspring look like?

No telling, that is one of the things that is an unknown--no one could tell you what might happen there. White should always be bred to white. Then you will get white. You breed anything else to white, and you're just gambling with what color might show up. If you have Blue, breed him or her to Blue, Black, or Splash. Then they will breed true!

Do you get your colored zip ties from places like Home Depot? I may need some.

I bought mine at Walmart this last time. But yeah, you can get them at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc.

Here is my hatch... 7 out of 14.

Cute!!

 

[Adoravachick]

Their wattles should still remain a dark mulberry color. In the picture I posted of my pullet at bath time showing you her comb-- you can see her wattles under her break are nearly non-existent. That is how it should be for bearded females. My roosters have bigger wattles-- but not by much. They are not visible through their beards at all. I have a cockerel I showed and his wattles are a bit on the red side-- even though his comb is perfectly dark mulberry-- NO red. The judge told me that his red wattles were undesirable-- and even at that, they really aren't too red. This judge went thru every bird like that-- pulling back feathers to see hidden faults. I'm not sure if the red color you are seeing is bad genetics and undesirable or because they are maturing-- this would be a good one for Sonoran since she has dealt with more birds than I have. I never noticed any color change, but that might not say a whole lot! LOL Their skin and combs should stay dark.


I've no idea! Knowing I am personally breeding to try to better my birds and to show, I would never do that. I have a particular goal for my birds, and that seems counter productive.

I would imagine if it were done, you might get a mix of non and bearded. I wonder if that would weaken both genes in those birds though for those traits.

I havent bred anything. That makes sense, though, just asking.

So, white bred with white and bearded bred with beard. Got it. Thanks!

 

[anbsmom]

Here are the legbands I use. They are coiled so they grow with the chick. I bought size 10 because I had some larger chicks I needed to band, but they sell some tiny ones for newly hatched chicks as well.