Have been having really great hatches lately!I have some beautiful babies and some awesome juveniles. I ran short on whites last year, so I have kept some this year to build my show stock back up. I have several show potential whites, splashes, blues and blacks. I'm already thinking about show season!!! Whew!!! I lost my dad on June 23rd, and my Silkies have been my sanity. Just going out to the pens and playing with them or bathing them have kept my mind busy thru this very rough time in my life. My dad used to come out to the farm and just sit and watch all of my chickens play. I think it was relaxing to him as well. He thought Silkies were a funny little creature and I think he enjoyed just looking at them. He would always leave some kind of sign that he had been there. I think he is there now........

Georgie, my very first silkie that I acquired from George Mahalik passed today. He started out with an ear infection and I think it got so bad that is went to his brain. Poor little fella. He was a great boy and a friendly rooster. He was a fertile boy too!!! i have had lots of beautiful chicks from him and have many people who have his chicks so he will live on..I will miss him terribly!!

We hosted a BYC(BackYardChicken.com) Show, sale, swap or trade on October 17th. The morning started with a Poultry Seminar at the Gainesville Extension office conducted by Cindy Kinard. It was very informative for everyone that attended including 4H and FFA groups. Cindy knows her stuff! Following the seminar, lunch was available to all who attended. While the seminar was going on, the swap/sale/trade began!!!  I saw alot of familiar faces and many new ones! Every Silkie chick I brought, went to a new home and also all of my Old English went to 4Her's & FFA kids. After lunch, the show began. There were 47 birds entered in the show. From production chickens, to the smallest bantams. All of the kids that were there were so excited to be showing their birds. This was not a sanctioned show, but just as tough!! Cindy Kinard went cage by cage giving both the good and bad faults of each bird. It gave everyone a chance to see what a judge looks for in a show in a more relaxed atmosphere. After she was finished, it was time to name Grand Champion and Reserve Champion..I am proud to say that I won GRAND CHAMPION with my beautiful splash silkie pullet, Taffy. My granddaughter, Jessica tied for Reserve Champion with her Wheaton pullet and Shelton Hurst with his Rosecomb bantam. What a great day if was for everyone!!! Here are some pictures from the day and some new owners of birds from Sunshine Silkies!!

GRAND CHAMPION!! Me and Taffy, my splash pullet

In the middle, my granddaugher Jessica McMurry who tied with Shelton Hurst for RESERVE CHAMPION. Pictured with them is Kailee Hurst, winner of Jr. Showmanship

Here are some proud new owners!!!

Taffy, GRAND CHAMPION SPLASH PULLET

GRAND CHAMPION GRANDMA AND RESERVE CHAMPION GRANDAUGHTER!

Went to the monthly BackYardChickens.com swap/sale in Newberry, Florida. You know people by their onscreen names so it is nice to get together to put a name with a face! Had a great time and met alot of new people off the street that purchased silkies also. David(digitalsniper) got some silkie babies, and Waldo(and wife) got a pair of white silkies and a splash pullet. I always enjoy getting together with my fellow BYCer's!!Thanks Alieda(cmom) for taking these pictures of a proud new silkie owner !

Dec 31, 2009 Rest in Peace Popeye!!! He was an awesome rooster that I got from Bobbi of IndigoEgg. I think he had a seizure. I have one lovely chick from him.