sunlight and silkies

[muddyhorse]

most of my silkies have been living indoors, but I recently got some new pens and a shed (today at lowes they had an arrow metal shed 10x14 half price because the box got wet and broke, apparently the box was $275) any way I noticed the other day it seemed that the feathers on the silkies that go out were "harsh" not as soft as the indoor birds. I know sunlight will discolor white silkies. does it effect the other colors as well. I have a six foot fence and I am going to cover the runs. should I use tarps to cover the runs or sunshades ? how do you keep your show birds looking nice. here is a picture of kaylee from this weekend at the St. Francis county fair. she is too young to show 4-h so she shows open. her pullet won champion bantam and then won best in show over all.

 

[Smoky73]

I have not noticed anything different with my silkies and sun or being outside. My birds generally do not go outside, but that is strictly their choice not mine. I imagine, it would not be too unlike wind or sun damage to our skin or hair, it can cause brittle and dryness. I separate my birds before show for about 2 months to get them into condition and used to handling and different feeders and such. I bathe them with a really good dog shampoo for specific colors I have (red, black and white) cod liver oil or wheat germ oil would be a good conditioning supplement to add to their feed. I just seperated several birds yesterday for the up coming shows in October I plan to attend.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Could it be the dirt from the dust bath they take? Since their inside and I am assuming they do not get dirt on them at all.

 

[muddyhorse]

the birds inside have a dirt with shavings floor. hubby doesn't like it if I put them up in wire bottom cages. and they dust bath in the shavings.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

It really affects the buff. Last year I had them in pens without tarps and they spent most of their time sunbathing, totally bleached out of the buff, they looked patchy with white from the sun.