       
|
|
The Truth About Show Quality |
Like the old saying about beauty, show quality is truly in the eye of the beholder. Basically, any silkie can be shown, but the big question is, can that silkie compete, and have a chance to win? If your bird is healthy, you have the correct paperwork, and you pay the entry fee, there isn't a show around that will turn down your right to show your bird, regardless of its quality. So, show quality can be a real misnomer. If your bird can't really compete with the others in its breed or in its division, then it isn't a show quality bird.
Lately, I've seen ads online for "show quality silkie eggs", as well as "show quality silkie chicks". I may not be popular for saying this, but eggs and chicks cannot be show quality. Eggs from champion show birds can yield a champion, but can also yield mediocre silkies. And silkie chicks can't be evaluated for show quality until they are at least 3-4 months old, or even older.
If all champions created champion offspring, then Secratariat would not be a one-in-a-million horse, and champion show dogs would be a dime a dozen. Olympic athletes would all have athletic, record-breaking children, and all movie stars' kids would be gorgeous. Genetics is a lot more complicated than that. It takes lots of work to create a champion and then even more work to pair that champion with another that will improve it even further. And even when you have that "magic" breeding, all the offspring will not be champions.
So, what does that mean to you? If you want a "show quality" silkie that can compete as well as be entered in a show - make sure that the breeder you purchase from actually shows his or her silkies, or has competed enough in the past to have an understanding of what constitutes a competitive show quality bird. If you are buying chicks or eggs, understand that although they may have show quality parents, that does not guarantee you show quality offspring.
Read and understand the Standard of Perfection for your breed, and know what you like. In any show quality animal, there is variance in appearance, and certain attributes appeal to different people. Know the appearance that you like most, and find the breeder that breeds closest to what you like best. That will guarantee that, win or lose, you will be happy with the appearance of your silkies and it will add much to your enjoyment!