Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

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Checking feet is something I always do on chicks to see who I'd concider keeping for future breeding.

I've had 6 toes pop up on one foot multiple times over the years. This however is the first time I've had a chick with it on both feet.

20210722_142015.jpg
 
Hinotori said:
Checking feet is something I always do on chicks to see who I'd concider keeping for future breeding.

I've had 6 toes pop up on one foot multiple times over the years. This however is the first time I've had a chick with it on both feet.

View attachment 2770051
Click to expand...
I had one hatch like this as well this year. Both parents had "good feet" with the normal 5 toes on each foot.😊
633C787D-82F4-455F-BCA5-E42E5B65C7A3.jpeg
 
Hinotori said:
Checking feet is something I always do on chicks to see who I'd concider keeping for future breeding.

I've had 6 toes pop up on one foot multiple times over the years. This however is the first time I've had a chick with it on both feet.

View attachment 2770051
Click to expand...
Is there a reason why the 6 toes are bad? just not quality breeding- like red combs? Does the number of toes affect the balance or health issues?
I don't look at their toes, if the combs are redish colour I don't use them for breeding. Or any health issues.
 
ForTheLoveOfSilkies said:
Is there a reason why the 6 toes are bad? just not quality breeding- like red combs? Does the number of toes affect the balance or health issues?
I don't look at their toes, if the combs are redish colour I don't use them for breeding. Or any health issues.
Click to expand...
I do not think there is anything wrong with the 6 toes. It is just not the standard. 😊
 
ForTheLoveOfSilkies said:
Is there a reason why the 6 toes are bad? just not quality breeding- like red combs? Does the number of toes affect the balance or health issues?
I don't look at their toes, if the combs are redish colour I don't use them for breeding. Or any health issues.
Click to expand...

Can't show as it's a disqualification. Same as 4 toes. It pops up occasionally because of the gene doing wonky things, just like how sometimes the gene doesn't express and you get 4 toes. No way to know if that's the case or if they don't carry the gene unless you did test cross breeding to a 4 toed breed.

I kept a 4 toed silkie rooster in with my large fowl EEs and ameraucana layers for a couple years. He was a sweetheart so he got that job. I hatched 3 eggs from them after he was killed defending the flock. All chicks had at least 5 toes. The rooster out of that hatch has 5 and 6.

No it doesn't effect their walking. I don't keep them for breeding because I don't want to increase incidence of it in the flock. I had a rooster I used for a while that I didn't realize had a double toenail until I started seeing more of them in chicks.

I have a mutation in the flock for roosters to not grow spurs as well. About half don't have them.

Maybe later when I get home I'll get a picture of my 5 year old roosters legs, or the 3 year old who only has a spur on one side.
 
LadiesAndJane said:
Are you trying to breed for the mutation? Super interesting.😊
Click to expand...

Haven't selected for or against it. Not like the boys are aggressive. My boys are actually friendlier than the hens as I have selected for that.

Ashes is outgoing and comes up to me until I say his name, then he runs and hides. I used to take a lot of pictures of him as he's very good at posing. I'd call his name and he associates it with having to pose. He doesn't want to be model anymore. It's actually rather amusing to watch.
 

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