What should a high quality silkie roo be like? *Pics update*

[Moochie]

If you have any pictures please post

!!
I have a silkie roo named Skippy a.k.a. Cuddle Muffin a.k.a. Mommy's Baby Boo.. And I wanna know if he is high quality or low quality.
There's a bird show coming in March in Bakersfield CA., and I may want to go and possibly take Skippy although I'm not sure yet.
I need pictures to compare so I may or may not post pics of Skippy. Words would be good too... But uhm I'm not all too keen on the phrases used in bird showing so simple words would be good (such as "his tail area needs to be this poofy in order to qualify" along with a picture).
He's black, but on his cape some of the feathers turned white-ish yellow-ish. I hope the bird show wouldn't disqualify that. His waddles haven't really started growing except for these tiny bumps. Skippy also has a walnut comb, kinda big. He's a real sweet heart.
Skippy is the only bantam I have, his aunty died a month ago of a somewhat natural cause (she somehow got into the largefowl water bowl and couldn't get out.. odd because there's a smaller bowl for them), I guess it was her own fault

Anyways he lives with a largefowl family and doesn't seem to know he's small. He never fights with the other 4 roosters and keeps his space usually from the hens except when he tries to mate with the pullets.
So I think he has a high quality personality and look.
Oh and he has a beard and muffs!!

 

[Funky Feathers]

What you are calling the cape is the hackle feathers. Any off color on those (or anywhere) is a disqualification, so no I wouldn't show him. Do you have pics of him from 4 different angles? Here are some pics of Roos I used to have, and these were just breeder quality. Hopefully some top breeders will post pics of their SQ Roos.

young cockerel:

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I don't think there is just one definition of 'show quality'. That said, off-coloring in such degree is a DQ in most bigger shows. Make sure that what you are seeing is 100% off coloring and not just the shine of the iredescent (sp?) hackle feathers. Those can sometimes look white; but they shouldn't look yellow.

I like my Silkie males round and 'heart-shaped', with a nice sized crest and a full rounded tail, that is carried a little less than up to the head. If you read a standard, you can see exactly what is called for. I would rather not show pictures, as my male is not what I consider show quality and he never poses.

But you could get more specific feedback if you were to post pictures of your male.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Off-coloured hackles on a black is a DQ in a cockerel and a serious fault in a cock. This means that his age makes a difference. Under a year, DQ, over a year, serious fault. Some judges and breeders do not like large combs. I personaly could care less about comb size as long as it is properly shaped.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You might be able to find some great pics to look at over on the silkie thread.

 

[phasianidae]

just make sure they dont look like this!

in my opinion, hatcheries have ruined Silkies.

 

[Moochie]

I'll get some pictures tomorrow. The color on his hackles is white or off-white. I don't look too hard on his hackle feathers lol. He's under a year.
Umm actually I would wanna take him just for fun. I don't care about winning. What are bird shows like? Do they have things for junior competitions? I don't know if I count as a junior though (16). Also someone has told me you can buy birds from bird shows.. Expensive?
Hmm those photos... Your roo looks tiny. Skippy is small too but he is bigger than his aunty who was a tiny little thing. I do believe he has grown to his full size, he is a little less than half of my production red hen Moochie.
Skippy isn't as fluffly either, perhaps he needs time to grow out his poofiness? I adore his face though.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Shows can be a huge amount of fun. You are a junior until you turn 18. You can enter any bird in showmanship--what is tested is your knowledge and handling of the bird, not its exhibition quality.

Yes, there are usually birds for sale, however there is no standard price. You may find some birds for free and others for $300. You may find some outstanding birds or pure junk.

One thing you can do is take him and get some critiques from breeders who can see and handle him, as well as the judge's placement. After judging, ask the judge to go over your bird with you.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Quote:
Yup, you're most likely a junior. Me too! Poultry shows are usually pretty loud and very busy. Lotsa roosters crowing and chickens talking. But it's one of my favorite places in the world to be.

Some shows require that you send in paperwork by a certain date to compete in ALL junior related events. If this is the case, better get started. Just looking to go for fun is okay-I know plenty of people who do it. Most likely, you'll be able to do regular youth exhibiting (keep the bird in it's cage and let the judge look at and handle it), as well as showmanship: my personal favorite. It's really hands-on, and consists of you answering questions to a judge about your bird specifically and sometimes about chickens in general. You have a much better chance of doing well in that than regular judging because then YOU can prepare yourself. Although I don't know what happens if you use a bird with DQs. I've met some judges that take off for flaws in the bird. I've had others who could care less.

Birds being sold can come at various different prices and various different places. If you want to take them home, make sure the bird has no paracites/illness and I recommend quarantine for a few weeks. As far as the size of your Silkie, certain strains and result in different sizes. I've seen some HUGE Silkie boys. Alot of times people can be penalized for this in shows. I have two Silkie girls who are 3 months apart and the younger one is bigger than the older.

 

[Moochie]

Well I took some pics with my ipod. Enjoy!

What causes that off white color in his hackles?