Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[RememberTheWay]

I do not want any satins here in my breeding flock, nor do I want naked necks, but in a batch of hatching eggs from an exhibition breeder came a whole bunch of cuckoos and mottleds, and Pearl. I've got some younger paints about 3 months old, so in several months when they can be sexed and bred, it's just Pearl. I guess I'll breed her until they come of age and then sell her.

I won't start hatching again until January though, but I suppose I'll breed her with the black silkie roo and see what we get.

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I love her! But I work with a lot of colors in that scheme, black and white. I actually like satins quote a bit too.

 

[RememberTheWay]

Who has silkies that lay through the winter? This will be my first winter with the breed

 

[Debbie292d]

Who has silkies that lay through the winter? This will be my first winter with the breed

Mine lay all winter, just a tish slower though.

We're in Wisconsin where temps can be -30F for a couple of weeks, and 20F is the coldest I will let them out unless it's windy. We have an oil filled radiant heater that keeps the coop to 40F so the water and eggs don't freeze. That could have some impact on them laying rather than having to work to keep themselves so warm, but I don't know that for a fact.

 

[Hinotori]

Who has silkies that lay through the winter? This will be my first winter with the breed

Mine are my primary egg source in winter. They don't lay a lot any which way with all the broodiness. It does slow a little because of light levels. Just means you need more silkies

Everyone is mostly molting or broody right now so this is my low egg time period. I have about 35 adult hens 15 are broody. 5 eggs a day on average at moment. It's enough for the 2 of us. Just have to save for a couple days for any big cooking. I'd also taken all my saved eggs down to my Mom a bit over a week ago. Usually I have a few dozen saved back for things.

 

[CSolis]

@Hinotori I have a question about splashes. If I recall correctly they are silver based? I have a few silver partridge gals from Gen Lee, and I need a roosky to put them with that will further the silver. What would you suggest? One is blue and silver, the other has a tad of brown scattered about. I Have 2 splashes, both with great 'hats'. But I'm thinking to outbreed this go round (I have one not related at all), then taking those offspring and putting them back with a splash that is a grandson of Gen Lee.

 

[CSolis]

It's buff with 2 copies of the lavender gene.

Birds 1 and 2 are both genetically blue cream. Don't know what happened with #1 for her to be so dark. It's incorrect color.

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The other two hens that look similar are actually partridge with 2 copies of lavender.

is it possible that melanizing genes didn't pass down? I've got some gals like that from a orangish buff hen and splash roo.

 

[Hinotori]

is it possible that melanizing genes didn't pass down? I've got some gals like that from a orangish buff hen and splash roo.

No idea. I only know a little about the blue cream and how it expresses.

I know lots about partridge but have never found an answer to why silkies have orange males show up. So my knowledge is limited

 

[Hinotori]

@Hinotori I have a question about splashes. If I recall correctly they are silver based? I have a few silver partridge gals from Gen Lee, and I need a roosky to put them with that will further the silver. What would you suggest? One is blue and silver, the other has a tad of brown scattered about. I Have 2 splashes, both with great 'hats'. But I'm thinking to outbreed this go round (I have one not related at all), then taking those offspring and putting them back with a splash that is a grandson of Gen Lee.

Yes BBS is silver based. I wouldn't use the one showing brown.

 

[CSolis]

Yes BBS is silver based. I wouldn't use the one showing brown.

thank you thank you thank you!

 

[CSolis]

Oh, forgot to mention, I have another brother to the blue hatted partridge, just as gorgeous, a beta of course (he's in with the pullets so he doesn't get picked on) without, I repeat without split wings.. Hurrah!