Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[JacinLarkwell]

I guess I don't understand the "sex-linked"...
Can you explain it like I was a kid...sorry I'm just trying to understand better.

By crossing certain birds together, you can tell at hatch who is male and who is female without vent sexing

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

By crossing certain birds together, you can tell at hatch who is male and who is female without vent sexing

That's pretty cool! But how do you know which ones to cross?!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

That's pretty cool! But how do you know which ones to cross?!

It's all genetics

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@LadiesAndJane

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Meanwhile....... I've been making the final adjustments on flock management today.. Shadow Captain and Poof Poof moved in to larger living quarters where 3 F1 pullets, nearing 26 weeks have been residing with 2 blue splash pullets and their brother... Put SC and PP + babies in a dog crate, set in the shade.... move 2 Pullets into other free pen where SC and family resided... move F1 cockerel in with them... Set crate inside larger pen and open the door... SC is the first to leave with 2 babies.. 3 F1 gals are hiding on the other end of the pen... Mom and last baby leave the crate.. move crate out and watch the fun.
White Cloud decided to peck on a baby... not a good idea.. SC got her right quick.. I had moved all the furniture around so each group still had something familiar.. PP's bucket already has an egg in it from this morning.. All is calm and quiet.. got to hand it to Silkies, they seem to take everything in stride.View attachment 3274293View attachment 3274295
The last round she hatched/I hatched 2 blues and 1 white with a dot.
Hey Ma! Check this out (new tub with nesting boxes for the F1 pullets). You Can't see mee.....View attachment 3274303
Ahhhhhhhh, better.. less junk in the way.
View attachment 3274306

Roosters are just a hoot!
The 3 future wives of SC.. All daughters of General Lee, my first rooster.. 2 are from Turtle dove a Beilefelder/EE cross... She sure puts the pants on her girls. And 1 F1 from a bantam BO. I'm hoping to start the calico satin with this round.View attachment 3274317
Look at that steely gaze from the Steel Meister.View attachment 3274319

What a lovely flock you have! Exciting breeding projects too. Sounds like you’re playing musical chickens.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Not really good photos but yes, pink..
View attachment 3274486View attachment 3274487

She looks like cotton candy!
Or do you call it Candy Floss like in the UK?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

It's all genetics

I’m aware of using chocolate roos with BBS hens and then of course any colored roo over a cuckoo or barred hen.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

View attachment 3274763
@LadiesAndJane

This is very common in Silkies. Even more common in Silkie crosses. Partly genetics and also some studies show incubator temp influences as well.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I’m aware of using chocolate roos with BBS hens and then of course any colored roo over a cuckoo or barred hen.

Silver female under gold male.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

This is very common in Silkies. Even more common in Silkie crosses. Partly genetics and also some studies show incubator temp influences as well.

Pure silkie, under a hen.

So longer single toes are normal?