Single Comb Silkie to breed? POST 18 PICS

[Teresaann24]

Dont want to take over this post or anything but I recently had another chick hatch with a single comb. He/She is about 8 weeks old now and its already growing very small but more noticiable then the other 2. Could this mean this chick is a roo?

 

[peepsnbunnies]

Maybe you could use her for a broody to hatch other silkie eggs,

Lisa

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Ive decided that im going to breed her. BUT I will not be selling eggs from her. She is going to be my little project. lol. I will keep her and all of her offspring seperate from my other buff line, and keep track of breedings, parents, etc.

 

[Kev]

Quote:
See, this is more evidence that single comb is rather widespread in silkie stocks. Not a rare or isolated thing.

It's very likely a side effect of pure rose comb rooster infertility problem. Silkies actually mainly have a modified rose comb, not a true genetic walnut.

I think the general serious silkie breeder answer is to learn how other breeders of rose combed breeds deal with it.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

So whats the verdict?

 

[kentuckysilkies]

I keep a mixed color flock so obviously I never indicate that I have show quality birds. Still I only keep birds with correct features in the breeding pen. I think you have chosen wisely to keep her as a special project. I have started a Showgirl project and the single comb is a trait that I am trying to breed out of that flock.

 

[Kev]

It can be done by keeping track of the parents such as if a single combed chick is produced then this is proof both parents were carriers.

This can be done also by test mating- pair up a bird in question with a single combed bird.. then check & see if any single combeds show up. This is best done hatching at least 8-10 chicks to make relatively sure though.

Obviously this takes time but will be quite effective in finding out who's pure and who's not and will be worth it in the long run in creating stock pure for the comb type.

However, draw back is the roosters will have to be set up with fewer hens to ensure fertility stays good.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Here are pictures of her.

 

[Teresaann24]

She is very pretty you can't even tell she has a single comb now on my roo...LOL you can tell big time. BUT, He does not have any traits that I'd like to pass on to chicks he does have a very pretty body and his feathering is real nice also on his legs and toes. BUT, In this case the bad outweigh the good on him. I think if bred with the right roo she would make wonderful little fluff butts for you.


Here is a pic of his single comb.