Awwwww!
Blue/Splash/Black silkie genetics
Eufaula, you should see my white silkies after they have been eating beets.
Good to see you again, RidesRedMule. GBU.
Did they turn Pink??
Thank you, LfJ. I love critters and when I saw that little bluerooster, I had to say something.
Red beards.
Here are my new silkies. The lady commented how fast I am to pay. I almost told her I pay so fast so I don't sit here asking myself "What in the world are you doing?"
These need to be my last ones for awhile. I asked her to wait until next week to send them. Don't want them lost in the Christmas packages.
Those are beautiful birds! What color do you call the one in the top picture?
So pretty
Porkpal, I was hoping you or someone on here would know. They were sold to me as splash, but he doesn't really have the splash markings does he? I thought he was pretty anyway.
Bidbird has silkies for sale right now they call "paint". They are a combination of colors and spots. The seller said they were common in Europe.
The judge at the poultry show in Amarillo commented that only the solid colored silkies win trophys and they are almost always white and sometimes black. He also said the hens always win over the roosters. To me, that sounded really odd. Why wouldn't the roosters win too?
George Mihalik won with a splash hen. If you google "silkies by george" you can see his picture with her.
Thanks Green. Looks like it's going to be a nice day here in Texas.
Let's all have a great day today!
Well color genetics are usually not absolutely straight forward. Most traits are not completely dominant or recessive. As I understand it to get Blues you cross Splash with Black. Your pullet looks mostly blue - blue is normally shaded darker on the head. Whatever it's called, I think it is really pretty.
Are there published standards for chicken judging?
Oh yes. I've never read them, but people at the shows talk about it.
Here is what I found online.
SYMMETRY: 4 (shape)
WEIGHT OR SIZE: 4 (shape)
CONDITION AND VIGOR: 10 (shape)
COMB: 5 (shape)
BEAK: 3 (2 for shape, 1 for color)
SKULL & FACE: 4 (3 for shape, 1 for color)
EYES: 4 (2 for shape, 2 for color)
WATTLES: 2 (shape)
EARLOBES: 4 (2 for shape, 2 for color)
*NECK: 6 (1 for shape, 5 for color)
*BACK: 12 (6 for shape, 6 for color)
*TAIL: 8 (4 for shape, 4 for color)
*WINGS: 8 (3 for shape, 5 for color)
*BREAST: 10 (5 for shape, 5 for color)
*BODY & FLUFF: 8 (5 for shape, 3 for color)
LEGS & TOES: 8 (5 for shape, 3 for color)
There is a book, called "The Poultry Standards of Perfection".
Glad you brought this up Porkpal.
I love them little fuzzy chickens. Like the color.
What do you think of lavender silkies? They call them true blue, but I don't know what true blue is.
I didn't know blue silkies were bred from splash and black. I did know they keep the blue, black, and splash in one breeding pen. Maybe I should do that.
Interesting that the standard does not even mention color. Lavender is a self blue - no black shading. I think it is bred differently. I need to look this stuff up.
Gets mind boggling as well..LOL...trying to figure what bird goes with which bird to get that color!..oh man..
You need the "Chicken Calculator": http://kippenjungle.nl/kruising.html
Look at the picture I found today. This one is not for sale, I'm sure, but how lovely! http://threecedarsilkies.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=111492829
She is.... interesting looking LOL. I swear some Silkies need a guide dog. I do love her color!
she is a fluffy critter. so cute!