Silkies 101 - 20 of the most common Silkie questions...

[that_crazy_lady]

It is my opinion that absolutely NO two colors of Silkies (other than BBS) should be crossed without advanced knowledge of genetics, and a strategic breeding plan, especially if you intend to sell the offspring.

I would have shared that info on the page, along with. I was just thinking of how I could see a newbie who has mixed birds reading that, and thinking their bird are worthless. { we need a white flag/peace smilie } not trying to be a pain, rude, or step on any toes, and I'm sorry if I have upset you

with respect Jp​

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
You haven't upset me. I'm just a very firm believer in purebred poultry, especially when someone is selling offspring from their flock. I've also not been given the gift of email ettiquette, as it is sometimes hard for me to convey my opinions/thoughts/views without sounding snippy. So I apologize you read my response as such.

You're opinion isn't wrong either. Birds in fact DO have to be crossed in order to develop certain characteristics or colors, otherwise we would still only have white Silkies. However, you cannot cross a white bird with a black bird and get a gray bird. I've often said its not as easy as mixing paint, which sadly is the most common misconception.

 

[that_crazy_lady]

nope, the same thing happens with me.

I agree %100 with what you said about mixing black & white to get gray ect, it takes so much more

 

[PrinceSandwich]

A few months ago I bought some silkie chicks, one black, one partridge, and one white. I was hoping on breeding them but after reading what you said about not mixing colors I not sure...

I was also planning on selling the babies. Is that pretty much out of the question??

 

[happytxchick]

I have a question!

Will my standard EE rooster attempt to mate with my bantam silkies? Or will my they each stick with their "own kind?"

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
That depends on your plans for the offspring. Are you planning on showing them? Are you hoping to reproduce a certain variety? Will you tell potential buyers that the chicks parents were NOT the same color, and that the color of future offspring is unpredictable?

Birds of different colors are certainly breedable, and you can definitely produce more Silkies for your backyard flock. However, if you plan to breed those offspring later on and would like to try and reproduce a black, partridge, or white, you've decreased your chances by 'muddying' up the lines as the chicks will most likely never reproduce with certain predictability. And dont expect to breed your partridge to a white and get another partridge, or white. There are chances that you'll get those colors, but as stated the chances are slim.

If you plan on selling your offspring, just be aware that most people are more interested in 'pure' colors that will reproduce true.

This is, of course, nothing but my simple opinion.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Mature breeding birds have no regards for the specific breeds, or size, of potential mates. Your standard sized EE rooster will most probably try to mate with anything resembling a chicken that is of the female persuasion.

 

[silkiechick05]

I have another question.

I am from the DFW area and was wondering which shows you attended...?????

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
Most of the DFW Silkie breeders usually attend:

-Red River Bantam Club Show, held in the fall, in Decatur.
-State Fair of Texas, held in the fall, in Dallas.
-Abilene Poultry Club Show, held in the fall, in Abilene.
-Texas Association of Exhibition Poultry Clubs Show, held in the fall, in Decatur.
-Oklahoma Poultry Association, held usually in December, in Shawnee OK.
-Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, held in January, in Fort Worth.

I'll pm you more information.

 

[silkiechick05]

Thanks for the list. I don't have a yahoo email address, does it matter???


Also, I have a nice blue cockerel (I think) but he has a white feather on his foot. Is that a DQ?