What's wrong with their feathers?

[VelvetDragon]

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Yes, mine still has feather sheaths on most of its body feathers. I'm not as certain about the wing/tail sections.

I'm wondering if the ropey feather birds just take longer to get softer. It seems like mine has. It's also increased in size dramatically as it's gotten softer, but is still lagging behind most of the other roosters who hatched at the same time.

I was wondering that too. To me pics of the ropey-feathered birds look like they have a lot of immature feathers compared to the silkie-feathered birds, which is why I asked about the sheathes. It'll be interesting to watch them all grow up, which seems to be a slow process for these birds. Saving feathers from before and after their one year molt might be telling too. I wonder if your boy would be slow to feather out after a molt as well.

 

[debo4702]

Just found this thread...those are beautiful!!!!! Drool... I have to have some! I read the whole thing in one sitting. I learned so much! Thanks everyone and I would love to participate too...soo I await the auctions love to put on anyone's waiting list but will do what I can for this most worthy of causes!

 

[SteveH]

Congrats to Jubaby and Kathyinmo also , looks like there will be alot of splits this year . IMO the outcrosses may vey well result in an increase in size , vigor , and possibly even calmer offspring [ my experience has been that multiple inbreedings often produces smaller and wild or hyper individuals ] . It will not be long before there's enough numbers to begin selecting for better feather quality in your breeding stock ; I think you're all off to really great starts ! It must feel great to be in on the birth of a new and popular breed .

 

[KellyHM]

Glad to hear they're laying again and things are progressing. Am I still on the list? I think you said you put me back on it.

 

[mom2jedi]

So not fair, not fair, not fair!!! (insert childish pout here)

These are probably the coolest birds I've seen yet. I remember reading this thread at the very beginning but didn't follow it more than the speculation of huh, how'd that happen. Just found it again today and read the whole thing, yes, 78 pages. I have an order waiting to be placed with MPC with a couple friends to get the *last* of my flock (mostly silkies but a salmon favorelles too) so I can't get any more... can't even plan on getting any more for a long time as our limit is 25 and the newbies will put me right up there. Hubby says no roos so I couldn't help with the breeding aspect, plus I don't have enough space for more in my 1/4 acre backyard. BUT I REALLY WANT SOME!!!! Maybe by the time I'm ready for new chickens in a few years, you guys will have gotten this variety going along well and there will even be someone close enough for me to get some.

So jealous of all you guys that have tons of space! I'm truly a country girl at heart even though I've lived in a big city my whole life.

Hmmm, can I get put on the waiting list for 2012?

 

[Happy Chooks]

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[kathyinmo]

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Thank you! I sure hope you are right, and that we experience increased vigor with these.

It does feel good, to be part of this venture. It seems like it has been a long time, waiting for these to grow to breeding age. Getting close now!

 

[Peppermint]

Wow, 78 pages in one night...I'm in love. By the time I get my city ordinances changed to where I can have TONS of chickens...then I can be on the 2012 wait-list too!

 

[Jubaby]

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Yes, Kelly. You are on the list.

 

[KellyHM]

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Yes, Kelly. You are on the list.

I have a bunch of baby BBS Ameraucanas that I hatched out to breed these guys to, so hopefully things will go as planned this time!