Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[MysteryChicken]

Here's my Project Giant Silkies. Only one is turning out really good so far.
These are F2 back crosses, they will most likely be the size of the typical Largefowl chickens, but the size increase will be added through breeding in Malay.

This is them at 14 weeks.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Easy guide to silkie sexing
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pippins-easy-guide-to-silkie-sexing.76903/

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here's my project threads if anyone is curious?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/giant-silkie-project.1346733/page-86


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mini-project-rainbow-laying-silkies.1490432/page-2

 

[twouglyducks]

Easy guide to silkie sexing
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pippins-easy-guide-to-silkie-sexing.76903/

My guy met most of the guidelines for female there, except his smooth (so far) comb is not totally flat. Round tail, middle tail feathers droop. It was just the past few days that his hackles grew in longer and I saw a couple of streamers yesterday. These guys are tricky!

His hatchmate looks female EXCEPT for the tail feathers, middle ones are longer and stick out slightly. But has shorter beak, a small and flat comb, round crest...

My other three are only 9 weeks now and all seem roo-ish. Guess I'll find out! If nothing else, at least I'll have insect control for the yard.

 

[mamablair]

Currently working on Giant Silkies, & will be beginning a Mini project next year. The mini project is Rainbow Laying Silkies.

I am hoping to cross my EEs and silkies to get some silkies that lay blue/green. Good luck on your breeding projects!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I am hoping to cross my EEs and silkies to get some silkies that lay blue/green. Good luck on your breeding projects!

Thanks.

Hopefully you achieve what you want.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

I am hoping to cross my EEs and silkies to get some silkies that lay blue/green. Good luck on your breeding projects!

Will you be backcrossing?

 

[mamablair]

Will you be backcrossing?

That is the plan yes. This is my first breeding project, so I'm honestly not expecting much from it, but it will be fun none the less.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Here's my Project Giant Silkies. Only one is turning out really good so far.
These are F2 back crosses, they will most likely be the size of the typical Largefowl chickens, but the size increase will be added through breeding in Malay.
View attachment 2824364View attachment 2824365View attachment 2824366View attachment 2824367This is them at 14 weeks.

Here's my project threads if anyone is curious?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/giant-silkie-project.1346733/page-86


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mini-project-rainbow-laying-silkies.1490432/page-2

Love 'em all! You're doing excellent, keep it up!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Can anybody educate me about the single comb gene?

Two of my silkie chicks have single combs. I won't be breeding them of course, but I need to get to the bottom of this. None of the parents have funky combs so this must be a recessive gene?

I got the rooster last fall. I don't know much about his parents, besides that he came from a breeder.

The mom (or moms) is the second generation of my silkies. Their parents all had walnut combs.

So did this gene come from the dad or could it have somehow carried multiple generations to the moms? Will it pop up in the future?