| ♥Bearded Silkies♥ Blue, Black, Splash, White and Buff |
♥Harvest Breeze Farm♥
My silkie story started 3 years ago when I was surfing the internet and stumbled across these odd looking birds with
"pom poms" on their heads and feathered boots! I thought they were the coolest looking birds ever. And just like so
many of us........"I had to get some." So, I asked a good friend of mine . She had some nice silkies that were laying, and
was kind enough to send me my first silkie eggs to hatch. I had pretty good success with that hatch, and thought they
were absolutely adorable. As my knowledge of the breed increased, I realized I wanted better silkies. Silkies with
more fluff and better over all type. So, I was on my first quest for "show birds" ( I am using that term loosely) I
stumbled across Royal Silkie Bantams in the Poultry Press and gave Kathy a call. Her and her father Royal were so kind
and sent us a small flock of white silkies to start with. I hatched out many whites from them. They were beautiful
birds. I actually still have one hen from her, I since sold the others off. At that time with limited space, I had to
choose where I wanted to go with the silkies. I liked the colored birds the best, buff, black, blue and splash were my
favorites. That's where Nikki from HatTrick Silkies comes in. I got my first buff pair from her. They were, and still
are GORGEOUS. That pair, along with a couple of Janet's buff hens are producing some top notch silkies for me. I
also acquired a few other silkies from the HatTrick girls including splash and blue birds. Now, I finally felt I have had
a strong foundation to build my flock on. So finally, this year I am producing birds from their line, and really, really
like what I see. Some are pure HatTrick crosses, some are crossed out into other lines to see how they turn out. I
take full responsibility for my breedings, and don't like to use their good name to sell my birds. IMO, the birds should
speak for them selves. I am extremely careful, what I put in my breeding pens. I choose birds that are correct. So
many things get looked over when breeding silkies. So many people look a that HUGE crest and think it's this great
bird. Trust me, a big crest and 5 toes does not necessarily make a GREAT silkie. But many times that's the only things
that are mentioned. Have you noticed that?? What about over all type on the bird?? Let's not forget about wings, eye
color, skin color toe placement comb shape, comb color, over all color of the bird, is it correct?? They're is much more
to breeding these birds then meets the eye. Let me add, breeding two "show birds" together will not produce 100%
"show birds" and it's crazy to even think that. A bird that is worthy of show is one in many that are hatched off. All
though, when you have an established line like HatTrick you get a lot more good ones then bad ones. My goal is to raise
silkies that are correct, in size, color and over all type. I personally do not want the BIG type silkies in my line. And
steer away from using these type birds. Silkies are not supposed to be large they are supposed to be small.......they are
bantams, not standards.......right?? A silkie pullet is should only weigh 28 oz the cockerel 32 oz. That is not very big
folks. I will close in saying, be meticulous, don't over look anything. Be extremely picky what you put in your pens or
who you pair together. Take notes and band your birds. That way you will know who's producing the best birds for you.
My best advice is to work hard and EARN your way. Put the hard work in, you will take your knocks along the way, all
successful breeders do. Trust me, in the long run your hard work and patience will pay off! Last but not least have fun,
and be happy for those who are having success, after all....they EARNED it:)
"pom poms" on their heads and feathered boots! I thought they were the coolest looking birds ever. And just like so
many of us........"I had to get some." So, I asked a good friend of mine . She had some nice silkies that were laying, and
was kind enough to send me my first silkie eggs to hatch. I had pretty good success with that hatch, and thought they
were absolutely adorable. As my knowledge of the breed increased, I realized I wanted better silkies. Silkies with
more fluff and better over all type. So, I was on my first quest for "show birds" ( I am using that term loosely) I
stumbled across Royal Silkie Bantams in the Poultry Press and gave Kathy a call. Her and her father Royal were so kind
and sent us a small flock of white silkies to start with. I hatched out many whites from them. They were beautiful
birds. I actually still have one hen from her, I since sold the others off. At that time with limited space, I had to
choose where I wanted to go with the silkies. I liked the colored birds the best, buff, black, blue and splash were my
favorites. That's where Nikki from HatTrick Silkies comes in. I got my first buff pair from her. They were, and still
are GORGEOUS. That pair, along with a couple of Janet's buff hens are producing some top notch silkies for me. I
also acquired a few other silkies from the HatTrick girls including splash and blue birds. Now, I finally felt I have had
a strong foundation to build my flock on. So finally, this year I am producing birds from their line, and really, really
like what I see. Some are pure HatTrick crosses, some are crossed out into other lines to see how they turn out. I
take full responsibility for my breedings, and don't like to use their good name to sell my birds. IMO, the birds should
speak for them selves. I am extremely careful, what I put in my breeding pens. I choose birds that are correct. So
many things get looked over when breeding silkies. So many people look a that HUGE crest and think it's this great
bird. Trust me, a big crest and 5 toes does not necessarily make a GREAT silkie. But many times that's the only things
that are mentioned. Have you noticed that?? What about over all type on the bird?? Let's not forget about wings, eye
color, skin color toe placement comb shape, comb color, over all color of the bird, is it correct?? They're is much more
to breeding these birds then meets the eye. Let me add, breeding two "show birds" together will not produce 100%
"show birds" and it's crazy to even think that. A bird that is worthy of show is one in many that are hatched off. All
though, when you have an established line like HatTrick you get a lot more good ones then bad ones. My goal is to raise
silkies that are correct, in size, color and over all type. I personally do not want the BIG type silkies in my line. And
steer away from using these type birds. Silkies are not supposed to be large they are supposed to be small.......they are
bantams, not standards.......right?? A silkie pullet is should only weigh 28 oz the cockerel 32 oz. That is not very big
folks. I will close in saying, be meticulous, don't over look anything. Be extremely picky what you put in your pens or
who you pair together. Take notes and band your birds. That way you will know who's producing the best birds for you.
My best advice is to work hard and EARN your way. Put the hard work in, you will take your knocks along the way, all
successful breeders do. Trust me, in the long run your hard work and patience will pay off! Last but not least have fun,
and be happy for those who are having success, after all....they EARNED it:)
| My Silkie Story♥ |
| My Favorite Silkie Links♥ |
| Feather Legged Bantams - Weights: Cock 36 oz. Cockerel 32 oz. Hen 32 oz. Pullet 28 oz. |
•Shape - Male and Female
•Comb: Male - Walnut - set firmly and evenly on head,
almost circular in shape, preferably broader than longer,
with a number of small prominences over it, a slight
indentation or furrow, transversely across the middle,
rising at a point just forward of the nostrils and
extending backwards to a point parallel with the front of
the eyes.
•Female - Walnut, very small, well formed. Rest of the
description same as the male.
•Beak: Short and stout, curving to a point.
•Face: Surface smooth, skin fine and soft in texture.
•Eyes: Large, round and prominent.
•Wattles: Male - Non-Bearded: medium size, concave,
nearly round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or
folds. Bearded - very small, concealed by beard.,
natural absence preferred. Female - Non-Bearded: small,
concave, forming a half circle, fine texture, free from
wrinkles or folds. Bearded: small to nonexistent,
concealed by beard.
•Ear-Lobes: Male - Non-Bearded: small, oval, fine in
texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded: very
small, almost concealed by muffs. Female: very small,
rest of description the same as the male.
•Crest: Male - medium size, soft and full. as upright as
comb will permit, having a few silky feathers streaming
gracefully backwards from lower and back part of crest.
Female: medium size, soft and full, globular, upright,
well balanced.
•Head: Moderately small, short, carried so that a line
drawn parallel with tip of the tail will bisect the comb.
Beard & Muffs: Bearded varieties - thick, full, extending
back of eyes and projecting from sides of face and
composed of feathers turned horizontally backwards,
from both sides of the beak, from the center, vertically
downwards, the whole forming a collar of three ovals in
a triangular group, giving a muffed effect.
•Neck: Short, gracefully arched, with a very full hackle
flowing well over the shoulders.
•Back: Male - short, broad from shoulders to saddle,
quite rounded its entire length rising gradually from
middle of the back towards tail. Female - short, broad
from shoulders to cushion, quite rounded its entire
length, rising gradually from middle of back towards tail.
•Comb: Male - Walnut - set firmly and evenly on head,
almost circular in shape, preferably broader than longer,
with a number of small prominences over it, a slight
indentation or furrow, transversely across the middle,
rising at a point just forward of the nostrils and
extending backwards to a point parallel with the front of
the eyes.
•Female - Walnut, very small, well formed. Rest of the
description same as the male.
•Beak: Short and stout, curving to a point.
•Face: Surface smooth, skin fine and soft in texture.
•Eyes: Large, round and prominent.
•Wattles: Male - Non-Bearded: medium size, concave,
nearly round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or
folds. Bearded - very small, concealed by beard.,
natural absence preferred. Female - Non-Bearded: small,
concave, forming a half circle, fine texture, free from
wrinkles or folds. Bearded: small to nonexistent,
concealed by beard.
•Ear-Lobes: Male - Non-Bearded: small, oval, fine in
texture, free from wrinkles or folds. Bearded: very
small, almost concealed by muffs. Female: very small,
rest of description the same as the male.
•Crest: Male - medium size, soft and full. as upright as
comb will permit, having a few silky feathers streaming
gracefully backwards from lower and back part of crest.
Female: medium size, soft and full, globular, upright,
well balanced.
•Head: Moderately small, short, carried so that a line
drawn parallel with tip of the tail will bisect the comb.
Beard & Muffs: Bearded varieties - thick, full, extending
back of eyes and projecting from sides of face and
composed of feathers turned horizontally backwards,
from both sides of the beak, from the center, vertically
downwards, the whole forming a collar of three ovals in
a triangular group, giving a muffed effect.
•Neck: Short, gracefully arched, with a very full hackle
flowing well over the shoulders.
•Back: Male - short, broad from shoulders to saddle,
quite rounded its entire length rising gradually from
middle of the back towards tail. Female - short, broad
from shoulders to cushion, quite rounded its entire
length, rising gradually from middle of back towards tail.
•Saddle: Male - Rising from back at base of cape,
very broad and round, plumage profuse and long,
lower saddle feathers flowing over tips of wings and
mingling with fluff.
•Cushion: Rising from back at base of cape, very
broad and round, plumage abundant.
•Tail: Male - short, very shredded at ends, well
spread at base, filled underneath with an abundance
of soft feathers which are overlapped by coverts and
lesser sickles, the whole forming a duplex curve with
back and saddle. Sickles, lesser sickles, and
coverts - abundant, soft, well curved, without hard
quills, concealing main tail feathers. Female - short,
very shredded at ends, well spread at base, filled
underneath with an abundance of soft feathers which
are overlapped by cushion and coverts, the whole
forming a duplex curve with back and cushion.
•Wings: Medium size, closely folded, carried well
back and nearly horizontal, well above the lower
thighs ending short of stern. Shoulders and fronts:
concealed by hackles and breast feathers. Bows and
coverts: Very well rounded. Primaries: medium
length, well shredded, tapering convexly to stern,
tips concealed by saddle feathers.
•Breast: Carried forward, very full, well rounded and
of great depth and width.
•Body And Fluff: Body of moderate length, broad,
deep and well rounded from breast bone to stern
and let down well between the legs.
•Legs and Toes: Male - Legs short and stout, set
well apart, straight when viewed from the front.
Lower thighs: short, stout at top, tapering to hocks,
abundantly feathered. Hocks: covered with soft and
silky feathers curving inwards about the hocks.
•Shanks: rather short, stout in boner, well
feathered on the outer sides with silky plumage, the
upper part growing out from thigh plumage and
continuing into foot feathering. Spurs: medium size
and length, set just above the 5th toe. Toes: five,
the three front straight, well and evenly spread, the
hind toe double, the normal toe in natural position
and the extra toe placed above, starting from close
to the other toe, but well formed, longer than the
other toes and curving upwards and backwards; the
outer and middle toe well feathered. Female - same
as male except no spur. (Bare middle toe a serious
defect in either sex)
very broad and round, plumage profuse and long,
lower saddle feathers flowing over tips of wings and
mingling with fluff.
•Cushion: Rising from back at base of cape, very
broad and round, plumage abundant.
•Tail: Male - short, very shredded at ends, well
spread at base, filled underneath with an abundance
of soft feathers which are overlapped by coverts and
lesser sickles, the whole forming a duplex curve with
back and saddle. Sickles, lesser sickles, and
coverts - abundant, soft, well curved, without hard
quills, concealing main tail feathers. Female - short,
very shredded at ends, well spread at base, filled
underneath with an abundance of soft feathers which
are overlapped by cushion and coverts, the whole
forming a duplex curve with back and cushion.
•Wings: Medium size, closely folded, carried well
back and nearly horizontal, well above the lower
thighs ending short of stern. Shoulders and fronts:
concealed by hackles and breast feathers. Bows and
coverts: Very well rounded. Primaries: medium
length, well shredded, tapering convexly to stern,
tips concealed by saddle feathers.
•Breast: Carried forward, very full, well rounded and
of great depth and width.
•Body And Fluff: Body of moderate length, broad,
deep and well rounded from breast bone to stern
and let down well between the legs.
•Legs and Toes: Male - Legs short and stout, set
well apart, straight when viewed from the front.
Lower thighs: short, stout at top, tapering to hocks,
abundantly feathered. Hocks: covered with soft and
silky feathers curving inwards about the hocks.
•Shanks: rather short, stout in boner, well
feathered on the outer sides with silky plumage, the
upper part growing out from thigh plumage and
continuing into foot feathering. Spurs: medium size
and length, set just above the 5th toe. Toes: five,
the three front straight, well and evenly spread, the
hind toe double, the normal toe in natural position
and the extra toe placed above, starting from close
to the other toe, but well formed, longer than the
other toes and curving upwards and backwards; the
outer and middle toe well feathered. Female - same
as male except no spur. (Bare middle toe a serious
defect in either sex)
| Disqualifications: * More or less than 5 toes * Absence of beard or muffs. * Shanks not feathered down outer sides See APA Standard for Other DQs and cuts |
| Best Of Variety: 10 points x Number of Silkies shown IN THAT VARIETY Reserve of Variety: 5 points x Number of Silkies shown IN THAT VARIETY Best of Breed: 15 points x TOTAL SILKIES SHOWN Reserve of Breed: 10 points x TOTAL SILKIES SHOWN FeatherLeg Champion 100 points Featherleg Res. Champion 50 points Champion Bantam: 200 points Reserve Champion Bantam: 100 points |
| Click on the Silkie Chick for current point standings. |
| Silkie Standard♥ |
| ♥We prouldy raise the HatTrick line of silkies♥ Click HERE to see their beautiful birds:) |