Silkie thread!

[peepblessed]

I'm not genetic whiz, but since hens have only 1 color gene, is it even possible to produce a "Calico" girl?
Just asking.....LOL

It looks to me that this "C alico" color is really just a bad colored silver partridge or birchen with red leakage or autosomal red.

I have a "Silver Partridge" cockerel, that has red on his back, etc. so instead of culling him, should I try to make more & call it Calico?

I don't know the genetics behind it but grey or silver partridge with autosomal red comes in girls and boys.

 

[peepblessed]

So this is silver partridge?

and this?
Oh cool

Thanks for the help!

Your first chick looks silver partridge meaning there is penciling. In the SOP for gray there should be no penciling. They are both really beautiful birds!

Here is the SOP for gray.
Gray Silkie Bantams (Bearded and Non-Bearded)

Color - Male Plumage
Head
Dark Gray
Neck
Hackle - light gray streaked with darker gray.
Back
Even shade of chinchilla gray.
Saddle
To match hackle.
Tail
Main tail, sickles, and coverts same as back.
Wings
Shoulders, fronts, bows, and coverts same as back.
Primaries slaty gray with center shafting of darker shade.
Secondaries slaty gray.
Breast
Light gray.
Body & Stern
Same as back.
Shanks & Toes
Slaty blue
Undercolor
Smoky gray of a shade not darker than top color.

Color - Female Plumage
Head
Chinchilla Gray
Neck
Hackle - light gray streaked with darker gray.
Back & Cushion
Even shade of chinchilla gray.
Tail
Main tail and coverts same as back.
Wings
Shoulders, fronts, bows, and coverts same as back.
Primaries and secondaries solid even shade of slaty gray.
Breast
Light gray.
Body & Stern
Same as back.
Shanks & Toes
Slaty blue
Undercolor
Smoky gray of a shade not darker than top color.

 

[GalloSiSupieras]

Does anyone here raise silkies for meat? I'd like to start but I've been warned to look for a breeder who focuses on meat/skin rather than feather-deep good looks.

 

[marquisella]

Well, your first statement is inaccurate. ALL chickens carry MANY colour genes. Specific to the silver/gold gene, and other sex-linked genes, yes, females carry only one copy. However, I specifically mentioned autosomal red and mahogany, both of which are not sex-linked, so the girls carry two copies also. And as dominant genes, even one copy would express. However, what is typically called calico is a bird with red in the male pattern areas. On a female the red would be predominantly on the breast: in the female colour zones.

And yes, most tortoise and calico tend to be DQ greys or splash.

I hadn't read your originnal post before I posted mine. You said what I was trying to say much better! Interesting about the female "calico".. Thanks for making that clear!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Does anyone here raise silkies for meat? I'd like to start but I've been warned to look for a breeder who focuses on meat/skin rather than feather-deep good looks.

You might try posting in the meat birds section rather than in the breeds and showing section. Most Caucasians do not find bluish-black meat at all appealing.

 

[peepblessed]

Does anyone here raise silkies for meat? I'd like to start but I've been warned to look for a breeder who focuses on meat/skin rather than feather-deep good looks.

This probably isn't the best place to find help. Try posting in this section. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/21/meat-birds-etc

 

[CALI CHICK]

Quick question....how old is a silkie before she starts laying eggs? And since they don't develope red faces, how do you tell when they are about ready to lay? Thanks. My silkie is about 18 weeks old.

I'm bumping this question because I would like to know (also) what to watch for in my silkies. Are there any visual indicators that show a silkie hen is nearing POL? Do silkies do the egg squat like other breeds? It's so obvious with my other breeds to watch their face get red and their combs grow.

I have a pair of dark blues that are 22 weeks old and I "thought" one of them squatted for me...but they are so submissive and friendly anyway that I wasn't sure!

Any other signals you all notice with your silkies before they start to lay?

 

[peepblessed]

Well, your first statement is inaccurate. ALL chickens carry MANY colour genes. Specific to the silver/gold gene, and other sex-linked genes, yes, females carry only one copy. However, I specifically mentioned autosomal red and mahogany, both of which are not sex-linked, so the girls carry two copies also. And as dominant genes, even one copy would express. However, what is typically called calico is a bird with red in the male pattern areas. On a female the red would be predominantly on the breast: in the female colour zones.

And yes, most tortoise and calico tend to be DQ greys or splash.

Your knowledge is so valuable to this thread.

 

[aoxa]

I'm bumping this question because I would like to know (also) what to watch for in my silkies.  Are there any visual indicators that show a silkie hen is nearing POL?  Do silkies do the egg squat like other breeds?  It's so obvious with my other breeds to watch their face get red and their combs grow.
I have a pair of dark blues that are 22 weeks old and I "thought" one of them squatted for me...but they are so submissive and friendly anyway that I wasn't sure! Any other signals you all notice with your silkies before they start to lay?

Mine got really loud around the time of lay. No signs what-so-ever in my 3 girls. They couldn't see well enough to squat for you.. If I see her squat for a roo, I usually expect it within the month. Steve has never failed to predict POL!

And usually around 30 weeks for my girls. Sigh.. Late bloomers.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Thanks, Peep. Life hasn't given me much time for chicken forums the last few months.