How to select breeding stock for Silkie chickens? These methods you need to master
How to select breeding stock for Silkie chickens
Selection of breeding chickens: Breeding stock must be selected strictly according to the standards of the "ten major" characteristics of Silkie chickens, to ensure the purebred lineage and excellent offspring of Silkie chickens and avoid degeneration from generation to generation. The source of breeding chickens must be a healthy flock free of disease. They are also required to be well developed, physically strong, broad-headed, deep-chested with high legs, majestically upright, with a straight keel, strong libido, and strong mating ability. Hens are also required to have strong egg-laying ability, poor broodiness, late molting, and a short molting period. Roosters used for breeding have a greater influence on offspring, so they should likewise be strictly selected; roosters that are majestic, strong in stamina and disease resistance, and with prominent breed characteristics should be selected for breeding.
Selection of Silkie chickens: In addition to routinely culling deformed, injured, and diseased chickens week by week, two more rigorous selections are also needed. The first is at 2 months of age, when healthy chicks with all ten major characteristics, good growth and development, and above-average body weight are kept and selected, and continue to be bred. The second is at 5 months of age, when further fine selection is carried out; in addition to body shape and appearance meeting the requirements, roosters are required to weigh more than 1 kg and hens more than 0.8 kg. Both male and female breeding chickens must be healthy, disease-free, and free of defects.
Before the start of laying, nest boxes must be set up in the breeding chicken house. They can be made from wooden boxes, bricks, or baskets, but they must be sturdy to prevent hens from knocking them over when stepping on them and injuring the chickens. The nest boxes should be placed in a dark, shaded area so that interference from various external factors is reduced. The inside of the boxes should be clean, comfortable, and dry. Generally, 1 nest box is provided for every 5 hens.
Selection of Silkie chickens: In addition to routinely culling deformed, injured, and diseased chickens week by week, two more rigorous selections are also needed. The first is at 2 months of age, when healthy chicks with all ten major characteristics, good growth and development, and above-average body weight are kept and selected, and continue to be bred. The second is at 5 months of age, when further fine selection is carried out; in addition to body shape and appearance meeting the requirements, roosters are required to weigh more than 1 kg and hens more than 0.8 kg. Both male and female breeding chickens must be healthy, disease-free, and free of defects.
Before the start of laying, nest boxes must be set up in the breeding chicken house. They can be made from wooden boxes, bricks, or baskets, but they must be sturdy to prevent hens from knocking them over when stepping on them and injuring the chickens. The nest boxes should be placed in a dark, shaded area so that interference from various external factors is reduced. The inside of the boxes should be clean, comfortable, and dry. Generally, 1 nest box is provided for every 5 hens.