Silkies & Showgirls

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Is it Black, or is it Blue?    Since Black is the base for many varieties, I have found a need to have a Black x Black Silkie Flock.  I'm hoping by 2026 that I can make that happen.  Currently, I rotate Black, Blue, & Splash males over Black, Blue and Splash females.  

If the 2024 show season has taught me anything, it's that there is a need to know the difference between blue and black for breeding purposes; however for exhibition, it's ultimately up to the judges to decide what variety it is.  I have both light blue and dark blue Silkies, and I can't say that one does better than the other in exhibition; but as breeders, we have our own personal preferences on what we like to see at our farms.  At this time, I rotate between Black, Blue, & Splash males over Black, Blue & Splash females. 

Buffs were my big focus for exhibition in Spring 2025.  I had several that performed well amongst tough competition.  My focus currently is to maintain my competitive edge while having a little fun with frizzles and Showgirls.  

Chocolate is one of my favorite varieties to look at.  Chocolate Silkies are probably one of the more challenging flocks that I work with, as at some point, I thought Mauve and Chocolate Splash would be fun.  Unfortunately when Silkies mature, the Mauve is hard to tell the difference from the Chocolate, so that is one of the things I am working on.  Although I don't feel that  my Chocolates have the Type that I strive for, they are a fun variety that I enjoy working with.  While working to improve type, I am also working to improve skin pigment and combs.

Paint Silkies are probably my Fav...  Oopsie, no dirty F-words!  You get the idea.  In September 2024 while exhibiting in Portage, WI, my best Paint Silkie Hen was stolen at the show.  Since then, I have unfortunately been struggling to replace that bird, and get back to the kind of quality that she was.  At this time, I am unable to share any Paints.  

I have always just tossed my Splash in the back-corner of my mind, and given most of the attention to my other varieties.  They are really beautiful birds, and really deserve equal attention.  Hopefully in 2026, when the Blacks get their own space, I can focus on Splash a bit more.  At this time, I rotate between Black, Blue, & Splash males over Black, Blue & Splash females. .

Probably the most competitive and difficult birds I work with are White Silkies.  Contrasting on the green grass, they look like little cotton fluffs, and are eye catching, especially for airborne predators.  With large classes for the judges to pick from and lots that can go wrong between now and when the judge evaluates your bird, if you like an adrenaline rush, it's exhibition White Silkies!  The biggest challenge is to keep them clean, and of course, White!  The SOP for White Silkies calls for them to be Recessive White.  I do NOT work with Dominant White Silkies.