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

[onthespot]

I have a question about "too much shredding" in the wing feathers. Is that in any way associated with split wing, or totally separate?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Totally seperate. Split wing is usually a significant gap in the first few primary flight feathers. Shredding is the actual seperation of hairs along each single feather.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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No. Points deduction probably, but not a DQ.

 

[silkiechick05]

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No. Points deduction probably, but not a DQ.

Is it something that could be bred to offspring??

And after a molt could it come in properly or do you think it is just white?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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As with anything, it is something that can be passed on, however I wouldn't put too much emphasis on it. It isn't a DQ and its just one of those 'things' that sometimes happen, and are rather common. I've seen a very nice champion black silkie have a full gray feather in the foot before and it didn't affect his placement in the show.

And it could molt out a different color, or it could stay the same. The only way to know for sure is to wait and see.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Suze's kitchen table.... bring a pot of coffee, I'm sure she can teach you A LOT!

Just let's be sure to invite Henk, David & Tim. Then we can ALL learn.

For reading a good old fashioned book, get Genetics of Chicken Colours (ordering information is at chickencolours.com, or PM or email blackdotte). It is pricey, but if you think of it as a text book, the price is VERY reasonable--it should probably cost more considering the quality and nummber of colour photos.

For websites, an excellent starter is Henk's basics page: http://kippenjungle.nl/basisEN.htm

Then go to the Sellers' website: http://kippenjungle.nl/sellers/page0.html

Then to Karen Hall's website: http://www.edelras.nl/chickengenetics/

Then for information on specific variety crosses, use the chicken calculator (it's also fun to just play with--by altering a single gene or two, and seeing how it affects the phenotype, you can learn A LOT: http://kippenjungle.nl/kruising.html

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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No. Points deduction probably, but not a DQ.

No, foreign colour is considered a DQ. If you pluck it several weeks before the show the feather will have a chance to regrow, and may well come in properly coloured. Edited to add, but as Chris said, it may regrow in the same incorrect white, too. With polish crests I have been told that it sometimes takes three to four plucks to get a feather to grow in with the proper colour.

A judge who is very picky on colour will probably mark the DQ; one who is less picky may not.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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It is more likely the latter, as I have never seen or heard of a colored bird, especially black and blue DQ'd because of a stray off color foot feather.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

2005 Bantam Standard, pg 203, Blue Plumage: Disqualifications:

"Red, yellow, orange or positive white in any section of the plumage."

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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What does the APA Standard say?