Silkie questions from beginners

[MrsMeanGreen]

I am 100% new to silkies and have so many questions. I can't be the only one
So if anyone has silkie questions please feel free to add them to this thread.
So I will start by asking, are there different body styles for silkies?
I have 2 sets of silkie chicks about a week apart in age, so 1 set is about 2wks old and the other is about 1wk old. I think the elder set are non bearded maybe? Their bodies seem longer and their wings as well. Plus their little legs and feet are less feathered. Are all of those things related?
My second set are little humpty dumpy birds with short bodies puffy faces and very feathered bloomer legs. I am assuming they are bearded and wondered if the fluffier legs and body shape lend themselves to bearded.
I need a silkie pro to teach me the ropes.

So of course no post is complete without the cuties pictures so here they are:
P.S. forgive the humpty babies damp butts, I'm still battling pasty butt from TSC.
Set 1 bird A
Set 1 bird B

Set 1 bird C

Set 1 bird D

Set 1 bird E

Set 2 bird A

Set 2 bird B

Set 2 bird C (Yelling)

 

[SilverBirds]

@Debbie292d has Silkies and should be able to answer some of your questions.
I think the body differences are just from poor breeding, but I may be wrong.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So I will start by asking, are there different body styles for silkies?

This is a yes. Especially if you're talking about American, or UK bred Silkies especially for showing. These are bred to have shorter backs, & excessive fluff. Also are Bantams.

Chinese Silkies, also known as Broiler Silkies are typically Largefowl, back length is usually longer, but maybe short. It varies abit with these. Comb type, leg length, & fluff amount varies quite abit as well with these. The variety is often Beardless, but beards do crop up within Chinese Silkie.

Project Giant Silkie Rooster. He's got perfect Chinese Silkie type.

 

[MrsMeanGreen]

This is a yes. Especially if you're talking about American, or UK bred Silkies especially for showing. These are bred to have shorter backs, & excessive fluff. Also are Bantams.View attachment 3805381View attachment 3805387
Chinese Silkies, also known as Broiler Silkies are typically Largefowl, back length is usually longer, but maybe short. It varies abit with these. Comb type, leg length, & fluff amount varies quite abit as well with these. The variety is often Beardless, but beards do crop up within Chinese Silkie. View attachment 3805389Project Giant Silkie Rooster. He's got perfect Chinese Silkie type.View attachment 3805391View attachment 3805393View attachment 3805394

This is a yes. Especially if you're talking about American, or UK bred Silkies especially for showing. These are bred to have shorter backs, & excessive fluff. Also are Bantams.View attachment 3805381View attachment 3805387
Chinese Silkies, also known as Broiler Silkies are typically Largefowl, back length is usually longer, but maybe short. It varies abit with these. Comb type, leg length, & fluff amount varies quite abit as well with these. The variety is often Beardless, but beards do crop up within Chinese Silkie. View attachment 3805389Project Giant Silkie Rooster. He's got perfect Chinese Silkie type.View attachment 3805391View attachment 3805393View attachment 3805394

I have been following your giant silkie project! They are amazing

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have been following your giant silkie project! They are amazing

Thanks, planning on continuing the project this year. Just working on one at a time.
Starting with my PBA in USA Project at the moment, experimental meaties, & some test hatches for another project.

 

[MrsMeanGreen]

So who can tell me what's up with my black one, and little partridge one's heads?
I have seen this before but not sure of the technical terms and if there is anything I need to know
I assume it's gonna make their head feathers look extra poofy when mature.

 

[janiedoe]

I am 100% new to silkies and have so many questions. I can't be the only one
So if anyone has silkie questions please feel free to add them to this thread.
So I will start by asking, are there different body styles for silkies?
I have 2 sets of silkie chicks about a week apart in age, so 1 set is about 2wks old and the other is about 1wk old. I think the elder set are non bearded maybe? Their bodies seem longer and their wings as well. Plus their little legs and feet are less feathered. Are all of those things related?
My second set are little humpty dumpy birds with short bodies puffy faces and very feathered bloomer legs. I am assuming they are bearded and wondered if the fluffier legs and body shape lend themselves to bearded.
I need a silkie pro to teach me the ropes.

So of course no post is complete without the cuties pictures so here they are:
P.S. forgive the humpty babies damp butts, I'm still battling pasty butt from TSC.
Set 1 bird AView attachment 3805349
Set 1 bird B
View attachment 3805351View attachment 3805352
Set 1 bird C
View attachment 3805354
Set 1 bird D
View attachment 3805355
Set 1 bird E
View attachment 3805356
Set 2 bird A
View attachment 3805358
Set 2 bird BView attachment 3805361
Set 2 bird C (Yelling)
View attachment 3805368

You just never know what to expect from hatchery birds, but they are very cute. I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow out. I hope you'll post more photos as they grow up.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So who can tell me what's up with my black one, and little partridge one's heads?
I have seen this before but not sure of the technical terms and if there is anything I need to know
I assume it's gonna make their head feathers look extra poofy when mature.

Vaulted Skulls. Very common in American, & UK Show type Silkies. I despise this trait, since it makes the birds more susceptible to brain injury, & possibly death by a bump to the head.

 

[MrsMeanGreen]

I had planned on keeping my silkie flock separate from my LF girls flock because I think they are more fragile anyway, but should I do more to protect my 2 with their funky heads?

 

[MysteryChicken]

I had planned on keeping my silkie flock separate from my LF girls flock because I think they are more fragile anyway, but should I do more to protect my 2 with their funky heads?

I've got silkies with regular chickens, & they're fine. One of my Bantam Showstock Silkie hens is Vaulted Skulled, but so far has been lucky to not get hurt, or killed.

She did have an incident when she did get a peck on the head, which caused her to have a seizure. She was fine after that. This was she was still a pullet.