Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[chickengr]

This is exactly why I am researching everything I possibly can about breeding stronger, healthier, disease resistant, and more resilient birds and silkies. I only got into silkies this year but over all they do not seem as robust and resilient as any of the other breeds I've kept. I don't know why that is, but I do plan to work to improve it. I love Silkies, but I don't particularly care for paying the amount I pay for them only for them to die.

Hopefully I am able to make some contributions to strengthening their genetics. Btw- if anyone knows of any good resources for reading about that topic- I'm all ears!

silkies are slow growers. as they have a lot of feathers they need more protein. years ago I had white silkies. they never got sick. black with huge crest probably were bred to some other breed in order to get bigger crest. they are not as strong as the white ones - at least in my experience.

 

[MamaPoult]

I love silkies! I owed white silkies for a while and would love to get more!

 

[RememberTheWay]

silkies are slow growers. as they have a lot of feathers they need more protein. years ago I had white silkies. they never got sick. black with huge crest probably were bred to some other breed in order to get bigger crest. they are not as strong as the white ones - at least in my experience.

Interesting because the ones I had)have are the complete opposite! The ones that seem like they are purebred are the weakest and the ones that I knew were outcrossed (satins) seemed to be much harder. I actually have one now that looks like a watermael to me (not sure I spelled that correctly ) have no idea if she actually had one though. The showgirls were one of the hardest hit groups this yr and I actually only have one of those left which happens to be a satin too....

 

[Debbie292d]

Interesting because the ones I had)have are the complete opposite! The ones that seem like they are purebred are the weakest and the ones that I knew were outcrossed (satins) seemed to be much harder. I actually have one now that looks like a watermael to me (not sure I spelled that correctly ) have no idea if she actually had one though. The showgirls were one of the hardest hit groups this yr and I actually only have one of those left which happens to be a satin too....

I have a little bit of everything here and have had for many years. I can't say any are weaker than the other. There aren't many differences in their robustness to me and IMO, it's just their feather types, mottled, frizzled, satin, cuckoo, etc., and regular including a few showgirls, nothing else.

I am consistent with getting hatching eggs from prize breeders so the stock I have isn't so related as that can hurt a flock and could be a problem.

Your satins could be more recently acquired from silkies bred with cochins. Mine are so many generations ago that they were bred back to silkies that it doesn't matter.

 

[CSolis]

Interesting because the ones I had)have are the complete opposite! The ones that seem like they are purebred are the weakest and the ones that I knew were outcrossed (satins) seemed to be much harder. I actually have one now that looks like a watermael to me (not sure I spelled that correctly ) have no idea if she actually had one though. The showgirls were one of the hardest hit groups this yr and I actually only have one of those left which happens to be a satin too....

As with any breed, inbreeding for certain traits will cause weaker offspring overall. It's better to have a few lines from different parents to prevent that.

 

[RememberTheWay]

I have a little bit of everything here and have had for many years. I can't say any are weaker than the other. There aren't many differences in their robustness to me and IMO, it's just their feather types, mottled, frizzled, satin, cuckoo, etc., and regular including a few showgirls, nothing else.

I am consistent with getting hatching eggs from prize breeders so the stock I have isn't so related as that can hurt a flock and could be a problem.

Your satins could be more recently acquired from silkies bred with cochins. Mine are so many generations ago that they were bred back to silkies that it doesn't matter.

I figured what I was seeing may have been the result of hybrid vigor. I am not sure how far back the cross went for the satins I purchased though so honestly I will never know. And it could have been just this one time here this year and next year the show girls are the ones that seem the hardest It really was just an observation on my part, which I file away for further pondering later when I'm knee deep in chicken genetics and research lol.

All I do know is that I particularly adore silkies and all their varieties and want to help contribute to making them hardier then what I've personally experienced and many others.
But you know I've also seen lots of people complain about the lack of hardiness in true Ameraucana's and I can't say that is what I've experienced with the breed either. They've actually been quite exceptional for me, so who knows? Lol

 

[RememberTheWay]

As with any breed, inbreeding for certain traits will cause weaker offspring overall. It's better to have a few lines from different parents to prevent that.

From what I understand about inbreeding, it doesn't cause problems, it brings to the surface problems that were already lurking in the background. Problem is when most people get to that point they freak and turn around immediately bringing in new bloodlines, which can bring in a whole host of other issues. Unfortunately, had they pushed through and continued weeding, they were right at the part where their birds were fixing to be phenomenal. I Believe it's called inbreeding depression or something along those lines. Most do not follow it through and miss out on the benefits it can bring to a line. But that is a whole other can of worms....

 

[CSolis]

From what I understand about inbreeding, it doesn't cause problems, it brings to the surface problems that were already lurking in the background. Problem is when most people get to that point they freak and turn around immediately bringing in new bloodlines, which can bring in a whole host of other issues. Unfortunately, had they pushed through and continued weeding, they were right at the part where their birds were fixing to be phenomenal. I Believe it's called inbreeding depression or something along those lines. Most do not follow it through and miss out on the benefits it can bring to a line. But that is a whole other can of worms....

I've been doing line breeding, and breeding cousins that have at least one outside line. Babies are getting better all the time. Very few failures to thrive or other problems.

 

[chickengr]

Interesting because the ones I had)have are the complete opposite! The ones that seem like they are purebred are the weakest and the ones that I knew were outcrossed (satins) seemed to be much harder. I actually have one now that looks like a watermael to me (not sure I spelled that correctly ) have no idea if she actually had one though. The showgirls were one of the hardest hit groups this yr and I actually only have one of those left which happens to be a satin too....

naked necks are really tough birds. so showgirls should be as well.

some breeds are prone to some health issues. if we introduce them to another breed a few generations might be ok but later they become prone to those health issues - my 2 cents. hybrids are supposed to be healthier than pure breeds. in my 10 year experience laying hybrids always got sick first and probably spread disease to the others. I decided to butcher all of my hybrids and keep naked necks and dutch bantams for eggs.

 

[chickengr]

From what I understand about inbreeding, it doesn't cause problems, it brings to the surface problems that were already lurking in the background. Problem is when most people get to that point they freak and turn around immediately bringing in new bloodlines, which can bring in a whole host of other issues. Unfortunately, had they pushed through and continued weeding, they were right at the part where their birds were fixing to be phenomenal. I Believe it's called inbreeding depression or something along those lines. Most do not follow it through and miss out on the benefits it can bring to a line. But that is a whole other can of worms....

people here keep 1 flock and keep hatching from them. that's how they destroyed marans. they get small and weak birds. most die by the age of 3 mo. we can inbreed birds once then we have to separate their offspring and breed them with unrelated/less related birds. not full brothers and sisters for generations.