silkie toe spacing

[gocrow77]

I am wanting some good experienced breeder knowledge about silkie toe spacing. I know it's important. But, what do you do if you have an great looking silkie with bad toe spacing? Is it automaticly removed from your breeding program - how bout if you are just starting breeding and have limited access to good stock? Is it impossible to breed out and have good toe spacing in the future? Just wondering as I am getting started with some nice silkies and one or two have poor back toes, but otherwise are the nicest birds I have of this breed...... I would LOVE to breed them ( if my splash pullet EVER decides to lay ) but I'm wondering if I will just get more of the same or all her chicks would hatch with bad toes no matter which roo I bred her to or how "great" his toe spacing was........

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Toe spacing is of minimal importance. Judges rarely look at it except possibly when picking the better of two outstanding birds. As long as you have 5 toes and good foot feathering, you are set, as far as the feet go. Correct spacing is gravy, but that is all.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Breed your best birds together, trying to minimize traits that are less than stellar. But early in a breeding program you will have some birds which aren't quite what you might wish.

Type is the MOST important thing.

Next worry about the silkie feathering--are the feathers long enough? are they soft enough? are they properly shredded, especially in the wings and tail? And the crest (large enough? not too large?) And the comb (correct colour? shape?)

When you have 10 or 20 chicks to choose between after having selected for the above, then you can start looking at toe separation.

 

[iluvmychicks]

I totally agree with Sonoran Silkies. It's always type first then condition and vigor(health).

Here's a good link for reference, it gives great examples......good and bad

http://www.geocities.com/iladd29/Toes/Toes.htm

Shari