What Do You Think of "Gerri" ??

[Chickie Mamma]

Thanks so much! Yes, Gerri is my best hen. So, I could use a white roo for the Splash and Partridge too, or will they just be "mixes"?

 

[robbdebbie]

Yeah, they would be mixes. The splash could be breed to a blue, black, or splash. The partridge should be breed back to a partridge ( I am not 100% sure if there is anything else for that one too)

 

[blueoval1]

If you are looking for a roo destiny_56085 has very nice whites and she has some roos for sale now i think, pm her.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

We use bluing on our white birds-you just have to be careful with the amount and make sure you wash it out, because my friend ended up with a blue silkie one time!
(it used to be white

)
She is so gorgeous! I think that it would be a crime not to breed her to a good dude. Yeah, avoid sunlight and corn. Clean sawdust will let her feathery feet grow nicely.
Destiny...I'm sorry but that pic made me laugh out loud! There's something about a bunch of poofy headed silkies trying to go about their chickeny business that just gets to me!

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Beautiful Silkie!

I especially LOVE the hair tie.

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Thanks guys for all the helpful tips! I heard the blue shampoo whitens but may turn the chicken bluish. I have used vinegar and it worked well on her body, definately brightened her up. But the feet are so hard to keep clean. Do they make large booties for chickens?

I only allow her to range in the grass, but within an hour or so, she finds a nice patch of dirt with plenty of worms. The hair tie is only when she roams the yard, otherwise I've seen her run into the fence, sandbox, swingset etc.. she never sees me coming up behind her and then jumps when I touch her. Definately a problem with predators.

 

[destiny_56085]

I know there's a point where you have to say the heck with it and let them be a chicken too. If you could somehow get one of those small pet fences just to keep her in the grass. Take her out early morning and at night so she isn't out under direct sun at least. I kind of feel bad that mine never get out to play.

As for keeping mine clean... I go through 11 bags of wood shavings every 1.5-2 weeks. I rake on a daily basis and get the major stuff out. When it gets to the point where they get crap sticking in their feet feathers, I strip the pens.

Stay away from any of those whitening shampoos that are bright blue or purple. I know they say to rinse it off really quickly and you'll be ok. I have turned an entire chicken purple before. Even if you barely touch them with it and rinse right away, it still seems to dye the feather shafts immediately. I have had a major judge call me out on that once. Vinegar rinses do help for just stripping any leftover soap on the bird and will give them a healthy shine to the feathers.

There are a couple other products I resort to.... There is a really cheap dog shampoo by Hartz made just for whitening. Its in a clear bottle and the shampoo is a very light lilac color. Works pretty well and its only like $3. There is another horse product called Cowboy Magic Green Spot Remover. On the spendy side, but a bottle lasts forever and works awesome. I have had some people say they use glycerine in the bath water. Never tried that myself.

As for your pullet, she is really nice! Good toes, crest, comb, skin color, nice short back, foot feathering, etc. My only concern is her wings. I battle this myself and I think it goes along with breeding these long downed birds sometimes. See how she don't hold them tight to her body. The primaries are supposed to be folded under and held level next to the body. I'm going to refer to one of Nikki's articles (with pics!!!) for this one. http://www.hattricksilkies.net/articles_split_wing.html Check it out. I still would use her for breeding and if see if she passes it on. Just make sure the rooster has very good wings!
Amy

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Quote:
Thank you for the tips!! Will look into the Hartz shampoo! Her wings are usually pretty tight. I had just gave her a bath and blew dried her, so underneath may have been a liitle damp. She holds her wings out a little after bathing. I will check on it in a day or 2. Will she molt it out if there is an issue with the wings?

 

[Attack Chicken]

I use dog whitening shampoo for my showgirl and leghorns. Brightens them up really nice

 

[racuda]

The best dog whitening shampoo is made by Chrissystems. It is for show dogs. I have used their products. The shampoo works by depositing pigment. If it is okay for show dogs it should be fine for show chickens.

http://www.chrissystems.com/detail_informaiton.htm

http://www.chrissystems.com/whiteon.htm