Silkie Silkie Rated #5 in Chicken Breeds Pros: “Fluffy, friendly, cute, puffy, gorgeous, I could go on forever,” Cons: By Shayna Pros: Interesting, cute, small, wonderful disposition, and great broody mothers! Cons: Egg laying can be a con since they are often broody. They also require a little more TLC than other breeds. Silkies are a wonderful bantam pet breed in my experience. They have funny personalities and are friendly, even with children. They make great, nurturing mothers and even the roosters are often good with chicks. This is why some use silkies to hatch eggs from other types of poultry. The silkie girls were born to be mothers and often go broody. They are dedicated and determined to hatch! I say they require more TLC than other breeds, because they cannot see well with their large puffy crests. They are a very easy target for predators and should be free ranged only under close supervision. This also makes them fall easy from attacks of other chickens, and they can easily get brain injuries from head pecks.

Silkies aren't the best about putting themselves away in a coop either when they have an attached run, so it may be necessary to pick them up and put them to bed. This is especially true when it's cold and wet. I think their fluffy look is absolutely adorable! Silkies are the chicken for me. ♥ Bantams Silkies Chicken Breed Page - BackYard Chickens Community Bantams Silkies Chicken Breed Page Posted 1/12/12 • Last updated 1/12/12 • 50,953 views • 0 comments Tame & Docile Silkies or silkens or "Black Boned Chickens" are one of the most popular breeds despite not being acceptable meat or egg laying chickens in the United States. Observing them one can see why as they are one of the most strikingly beautiful and unique looking breeds. Records on silkies date back before the first century but the most famous one was made in 1200 AD when Marco polo wrote about white fur covered fowl in the orient. Like most fowl the silkies of old do not look exactly like their modern counterparts.

Modern silkies are bigger, have more colors (white was once the only color of silkie), have more leg feathers, and (quite recently) some have been bred with single combs and clearer skin. Silkies now come in many colors like White, Black, Buff, Partridge, Grey, Silver, Red, Cuckoo (barred), Blue, and even Lavender (!?). Black and whites have better body development then most of the colored. Silkies are used as broodies and surrogate mothers in the United States. The Chinese believe silkies have healing powers and is claimed to have "peculiar effectiveness in treating women's sickness, sterility, menoxenia (abnormal menstruation), habitual abortion, blood leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia, and sickness after parturition, and also aids in curing pulmonary problems - tuberculosis (TB), heart diseases, neurasthenia, and chidren's osteomalacia." Eggs are said to have less cholesterol content and are able to treat "severe headaches, headache after parturition, faintness, asthma and nephritis." I'm quite surprised they weren't given the effectiveness of viagra and I have my doubts about the medical benefits of silkies.

Silkies lay between 50 and 120 cream to brown colored eggs (there is some work done to breed silkies that lay blue colored eggs) a year. Silkie get broody often (which is the main reason for poor egg production) and make great mothers. Silkie Roosters are even said to make good mothers (as chickens have little use for a father). Silkies have walnut combs although I've seen single and pea combs on them. Walnut combs are the most desired and any other type would probably get the bird disqualified as a show bird. Silkies have many qualities that make them unique in the poultry world. Most notably their feathers lack webs making the feathers look like down or silkie fur. Their earlobes are a blue/turquoise color and they have black skin and bones. They have feathered legs, crests, bearded and non-bearded, and they have 5 toes. Silkies do not fly very well and wing clipping will probably not be needed. In the US silkies are seen as banties but they mostly are an intermediate size between large fowl and bantam.

The UK and other countries list them as large fowl and banties. Silkies are not the most hardy of birds and their lack of flying ability along with docile nature are more susceptible to predators. They make decent foragers and handle confinement quite well. Silkies do not like high roosts and prefer them no more then 4 feet off the ground. Given the choice of sleeping in a corner and roosting in a tree, silkies will take the corner. Silkies are friendly, quiet, tame birds that make great pets for just about everyone and have turned more then one person into a chicken lover. -- Daniel M. Garcia Silkie chickens : why they're the teddy bear of the poultry world. Characteristic downy feathers which can be white, black, grey or gold. Silkies come in standard or 'Bearded' - the Bearded Silkie has a beard and muffs. All Silkies have a black face, bones and skin; the flesh is a very dark grey-blue. A Silkie's beak should be grey or grey-blue. Legs are feathered and underneath are grey. Look for these features even in very young birds.

Feet are also grey, and a real Silkie has five toes! Earlobes are a beautiful shade of turquoise blue. The wattles and comb are black or a dark, mulberry shade and The 'walnut' (also known as 'cushion') comb is a feature. Black face, wattles and walnut comb, turquoise earlobes - this is a Silkie! Courtesy of Maria at Va Va Zoom photography . More about their physical appearance. The Silkie's characteristic 'silky' feathers look that way because they don't have the 'barbs' other chickens do. The fluffiness makes them look much bigger than they actually are - and makes them feel very soft to the touch. A standard Silkie will weigh as little as three to four pounds, with the males being the heavier. In America, they're classed as a 'bantam' breed and can weigh as little as 18 ounces. The personality of Silkie chickens. All Silkies really want to do is be a 'mother hen'! Silkies are gentle birds who love company. They tend to chatter away as they follow you around, which they will do once they're about six months old.

They make wonderful mothers, in fact it sometimes seems their sole purpose in life is to be a mum! They love nothing more than raising a clutch of eggs - and they're not fussy about whose the eggs are. Silkies have been known to raise other types of poultry including ducklings and goslings. They do tend to get a little worried when their 'offspring' take to the water! What do we know about their history? Is it any wonder Marco Polo fell in love with Silkie chicks?! There's a massive amount of information about the Silkie in ancient Chinese writings. Eastern cultures have always believed the Silkie to have medicinal powers beyond any other chicken breed. Recent studies have actually discovered that the Silkie produces more carnosine, an important anti-oxidant, than other poultry so the Silkie is still used widely today in Chinese medicines. The first western recording of a Silkie sighting was by Marco Polo, in 1298. He marvelled about seeing a bird with black skin and "hair like a cat" on his travels to China. It's thought that it was Marco Polo who introduced the first Silkies to the western world.

Circus banner from the 1920s featuring Silkie chickens. In the early 1900s, Silkies were exploited in travelling circuses and side-shows as 'freaks', described as "Chickens with fur instead of feathers". Are they good egg-layers? Not as good as some other chicken breeds. They will lay about 100 to 120 eggs each year. They can stop laying altogether during the summer months. Their eggs are a creamy-brown colour. Silkie chickens : the good. They are one of the friendliest chicken breeds and will appreciate attention and company. Silkies are very happy to be contained in a run, as long as it's dry and mud-free. They are one of the few chickens who would be happy to be kept in an apartment - they love a little luxury! They tolerate heat reasonably well. Their downy feathers mean they can't fly which is often an advantage. Silkie chickens : things which may be problematic. Because they're so gentle and trusting by nature, they can often be bullied in a flock of other breeds. If you intend to place them with others, you need to keep an eye out to make sure that doesn't happen.

Because their feathers are more like fur, they're not waterproof so Silkies don't do well in a wet climate, unless they can be sheltered properly. For the same reason, they don't like snow. Their feathers may look thick but actually they don't do a good job of keeping Silkies warm, so very cold climates aren't good - unless, again, they can be kept warm and sheltered. A true Silkie, showing the mulberry-coloured comb and wattles. What that all means - Silkie chickens are for you if : You're just starting out with chickens and you're prepared to take good care that they don't get cold or wet. You want a first chicken for your children or a companion for yourself. You have a fairly small area, or you can't let your girls free range at all and need to keep them in a coop. You're thinking of keeping a chicken (or two) in an apartment. You want a bird who will be a 'mother hen' to lots of little chickens - no matter whose they are! The adolescent stage! Photo courtesy of Va Va Zoom photography. ... And you shouldn't buy Silkies if : You live somewhere cold, wet and muddy.

You want a hen who will lay eggs but not go broody over them (although there are ways to stop a hen who's 'gone broody'). You're thinking of keeping chickens for meat. Want to know what a baby Silkie looks like? Here's a video of day-old chicks. Notice the already feathered legs. So cute! Silkie chickens : where to buy them. When is a Silkie not a Silkie? Note the red comb and wattles. These birds have Silkie feathering but are not true bred Silkies and should not be bred from. As with any poultry, you need to make sure you buy from a reputable breeder. There are a lot of chickens out there described as a specific breed when they're actually a hybrid. If you want chickens true to the breed, look out for the characteristics described above in the flock of the person you're buying from. Make a judgement about the breeder. Someone who is producing good, healthy birds will talk enthusiastically - even passionately - about them. Never buy from websites such as e-bay or Craigslist. There are some genuine sellers there, but more who will sell you infertile eggs or birds which are not the breed they're supposed to be.

The links below are a good start to contact breeders in America. Outside America, look in poultry magazines for breeders local to you. Who could resist a cuddly chicken? Courtesy of Va Va Zoom photography. Links to useful Silkie resources : The Silkie Club of North America is a great resource for breed standard definitions should you want to show your Silkies. They will also have a list of reputable breeders if you want to buy a pure bred chicken. In the UK, there is a Facebook group specifically for buying and selling Silkies. Following this link will take you there. Here's what Claudia has to say about Silkie chickens. "Silkie chickens are one of the loveliest breeds in the chicken world. They're fluffy (like me) and chatty (like me) and they love to be cuddled (hmm, maybe not so much like me). You just need to be careful they don't get bullied by other chickens out there. That is definitely not like me. I don't put up with that kind of behaviour from any chicken". Please note : Although the characteristics above are common across the breed, not every chicken will conform to them. Chickens, like people, are individuals.

You need to check with whoever you buy from - just ask about the kinds of physical and personality traits their flock has. Silkie chicken gifts. Are you someone who loves Silkies? Or maybe you'd like to own a Silkie but for some reason you can't? I've recently found the most lovely book, in which a Silkie plays a major part. What is it? If you click on the picture or this link you'll be taken to my review of this stunning book, together with information about where to find it. It makes a wonderful gift at Christmas. Here's my guarantee - you'll love it! "My Silkies - My World" Silkie Chickens mug. The ideal gift for the Silkie lover in your life! Designed using a watercolour image of a real white Silkie wandering through a field of bluebells, this mug is available for sale in my 'print on demand' store on mugs and aprons. Clicking on the picture or on this link will open a new page where you can look in more detail. If you've found this page helpful, I'd really appreciate your sharing it by clicking one (or more!) of these little buttons - thank you!

Looking for a family-friendly chicken but the Silkie doesn't quite fit? Try having a look at either of the two breeds below. The Speckled Sussex is particularly calm and quiet, while the Red Star is a sweet-natured chicken and the best egg layer ever. Just click on the pics to find out more. If you found this helpful, please take a few seconds to share it - thank you! Some chickeny things you may like! Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through them I receive a small commission. There is no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the information on the website free of charge. It also helps support my family and my chickens! Because my integrity and your satisfaction are very important to me, I only recommend products I have purchased or would purchase myself and which I believe would benefit you. To learn more please see my affiliates disclosure document . Looking for a Silkie gift? Start here ! This is me! - Certified in chicken welfare & behaviour How there's so much free information on this site ... I have some affiliate links on this website. If you buy a product through them I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This helps keep the site free of charge. To learn more, see my affiliates disclosure document . It's hatching time! Click the pics! Sign up for my free newsletter! Or get more information here New! The Weirdos of the Chicken World: Silkie Chicken Facts - ImaginAcres ImaginAcres The Weirdos of the Chicken World: Silkie Chicken Facts February 17, 2013 By Meredith Silkies are incredibly strange birds. I don’t even know if you could call them birds. They look more like bunnies with chicken legs. In fact… there are some tales that people in the Netherlands tried to market them to tourists as the first ever bird mixed with bunny. If someone told me this was a bird mixed with a bunny, I would totally fall for that. I’d probably pay good money for one too. 1. Why are silkies so fluffy? The feathers on these birds are furry and fluffy because they don’t have barbs to hold them down. Instead each individual Silkie feather flutters and flies around her like a walking feather duster.

This can cause Silkies to get extra cold in the winter, but our Mokey has never had a problem, even in -5 F without heat in the coop. 2. Black Skin & Bones Besides the silly fur-like feathers that make a Silkie look like a Muppet, these birds have several other weirdo traits that make them stand out. Silkie skin is black or dark blue instead of white. They also have black bones. Very strange traits that they only share with a few other chickens, the Ayam Cemani among them. 3. Silkies have Extra Toes Silkies have five toes on their feet instead of the usual four. The fifth toe is very small and pokes out between two others, like it just mistakenly sprouted there one day and decided to hang around. Even with the extra toe (or perhaps because of it) our Silkie, Mokey is a clumsy lady. Whenever she’s chased by another chicken she does this hysterical hop/sprint while flapping her wings and trying to stay upright. I laugh every time I see it. 3. Silkie Ears are Turquoise The earlobes of these birds is what truly makes them stand out.

We thought something was wrong with our Silkie roo when we noticed his ears were turning blue. In fact, they were bright turquoise! ‘How interesting!’ we said. How creepy! we thought. When his comb and wattles started coming in purplish maroon, I was sure we had some kind of circus freak on our hands. Turns out, that’s just Silkies for ya. 4. Silkies Make Good Pets Because of the docile nature of these birds and the fact that they don’t make much noise and can barely fly, many people keep them as pets. They are very sweet and love to be held and pet. I’ve seen Silkies that crave the attention of their owners and will sit on their lap all day long. Because of these qualities, they are also the most recommended breed for children. 5. Silkies are a delicacy Many people consider Silkie meat to be a delicacy, and restaurants like to charge a pretty penny because of it. Many cultures also believe Silkie meat to have healing properties and contain more nutrients than traditional chicken meat. In China, where Silkies were first bred, women eat these birds after giving birth to get their strength back. 6.

Silkies are the best mothers in the chicken world It’s no secret that Silkies make wonderful mothers. Their tendency to go broody (have the urge to sit on eggs) is much higher than any other breed. They will patiently incubate those eggs and lovingly care for whatever comes out of them. They will proudly raise the babies of uninterested flock mates, and I’ve even heard stories of them raising baby ducks and turkeys! I can’t even imagine our one pound bird raising a bunch of turkeys. They would tower over her in just a few weeks! We have high hopes for Mokey going broody this spring. Since our rooster is a cross breed, and we have such variety of breeds in our hens, whatever comes out of those eggs is going to be quite a surprise. I can’t even imagine the hilarity of that fluffy Silkie butt parading around with a brood of weirdo mixed up chicks. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our adventures with these delightful creatures, and I hope you learned a little something too! Until next time, Happy Trails! Delightful Chicken Books: Subscribe to receive ImaginAcres in your inbox!

Email address: This post contains affiliate links, to read our full disclosure policy click on the disclosure tab at the bottom of this website. Chinese Silkie Chicken - Burke's Backyard Chinese Silkie Chicken Temperament: docile, easy to handle Cost: $20 – $120 each Ideal owner: great for kids, novices and fowl enthusiasts History Chinese Silkies are believed to have originated in Asia, although despite the name, it is unclear whether it was in China, Japan or India. Amongst his many other exploits, Marco Polo is believed to have introduced this bird to the western world sometime between 1254 and 1324. Appearance It only takes one look at this chicken to see how it got its name. This soft, hairy-feathered fowl looks unlike most other poultry. The Silkie’s feathers lack barbs which would otherwise hold the strands together, thus the individual strands sit free of each other. Each of these strands are approximately 50mm to 75mm long and give the bird a soft and, well, silky appearance.

The Chinese Silkie is available in two types, bearded and non-bearded, and differences are also apparent between males (cocks) and females (hens). Non-bearded silkies have large wattles (a fleshy appendage) about 25mm-40mm long below the beak. However the hen’s wattles are much smaller than the cock’s. Bearded Silkies, both male and female, have very small wattles (around 5mm long) and as the name suggests, a full, fluffy beard puffs up around the face. Both bearded and non-bearded Silkies have a feathery crest, like a powder puff, and a fleshy comb on top of the head. The cock’s comb is much, much larger than the hens. However the comb doesn’t look like what you might see on other types of fowl. A Silkie’s comb (called a rose or cushion comb) resembles a wart-like lump on the bird’s forehead (see pic) rather than the spiky appendage one would normally imagine. Striking blue coloured lobes also adorn the ears. Silkies differ from other fowls in that they have dark flesh and five toes.

Standard Silkies are mid-sized chickens and weigh around 1.5kg to 2kg. Cocks are larger than hens. Smaller varieties of chicken (called bantams) like the Pekin bantam can weigh as little as 500g whilst larger birds such as the Dorking may weigh around 6kg. In addition to the standard Silkie, breeders have developed the bantam Silkie, which was shown in Australia for the first time at the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2000. Temperament Silkies are one of the most compliant and docile animals ever born and despite their soft delicate appearance are reasonably robust. The birds can be tamed and are often regarded by their owners as a real pet. Combine this with their curious, delicate appearance and one can see why this bird is often an appealing choice for the novice or child. Health and lifespan The warmer seasons usually bring with them a greater incidence of lice infestation. Broody hens (those sitting on eggs) will become most susceptible due to the bird’s propensity to remain with the brood and not preen or bath itself. All birds should be checked regularly for lice and should have access to a dust bath.

Silkies, their pens and nest boxes can be treated for lice each month during the warmer seasons and every two months during the cooler seasons with a proprietary de-lousing product such as Coopex® powder or solution. Scaly leg, caused by a mite which burrows under the skin, is best treated with an appropriate worming product. Fowls can be wormed every three months. Silkies have an average lifespan of 8 to 9 years. Grooming and maintenance Silkies don’t require much extra care compared to other varieties of fowl. It is not uncommon for breeders to trim the ‘undercarriage’ of their broody hens as knotted feather strands can strangle chicks. Regular trimming of the nails is recommended; use strong scissors and file the nails smooth, as often as necessary. Silkies are not a difficult breed to look after as pets though they are a popular exhibit bird and as with all exhibited animals preparation for showing involves extra effort. Prior to showing, exhibitors can spend considerable time washing and grooming their birds. Silkies are often washed in three different solutions prior to being either towel dried and left in the sun or blow dried.

The feet are then brushed with an old toothbrush and the nails cleaned with a small nail file. Vaseline or baby oil is then rubbed into the skin on the feet and comb for a final clean and polish up. Feeding Most pelleted food is too coarse for these small fowl. Silkies should be fed on chick starter or chick grower, depending on their age. These products are available in most produce stores. Greens (grasses) are essential and if the fowl cannot run on grass, acceptable alternatives include cabbage or a little lettuce. Breeding and cost Unlike some crossbred pullets, Silkies are not repeat layers and will stop laying through winter. Breeders say to expect an average of 90 to 120 eggs per year. Silkie hens are good mums and are often bred with other varieties of fowl due to their strong brooding instincts. Silkie enthusiasts claim some game bird breeders will also often look to buy Silkie hens to foster game chickens. A Silkie hen will comfortably raise 6 to 8 chicks. Silkies cost from around $20 to $120 per bird; it’s best to buy them from a breeder.

If just starting out, breeders recommend buying Silkies in pairs or in threes. Space and exercise Allow 2 to 3 square metres of coop space per pair. The Silkie’s feather structure prevents the bird from being able to fly, so perches and nesting boxes should be low and easy to reach. The fowls can be housed on bare earth although shavings and deep litter is preferable to prevent damage to the feathers from rough, muddy conditions. Care should be taken that the Silkies don’t fall into backyard pools and spas. The water easily weighs down the plumage and the bird may drown. Be mindful that predators such as dogs, cats and foxes would also find these birds easy targets. Recommended for Silkies make excellent backyard and pet fowl. They are reasonably quiet (though check with local council regulations governing the keeping of poultry in your area) and a couple of hens can be kept without the need for a rooster. While not prolific layers, 6 to 8 hens are adequate for a small family although the eggs are small, around 40 grams. If you had a desire to eat a Silkie, you would find the meat to be quite edible, although many people dislike it due to the dark colour.

Silkies are an ideal bird to introduce the novice and child to poultry keeping and pet care. They are suitable for children aged from around 6 years, though don’t let the kids chase the birds around too much, it stresses the chooks and they can be easily hurt if trodden on. Further information Coopex® is safe for birds and has a fairly low toxicity. It is available as granules to be mixed as a solution or as a powder from stock feed merchants from around $8.00. We filmed this segment in Vineyard, NSW with members of the Silkie Club of Australia. For more information on Chinese Silkie Chickens contact Helen Barnes 02 65536048 or email: hmbarnes2@bigpond.com Also the Silkie Club of Australia Inc has it own website: Silkie Bantam Chickens Day Old Silkie Bantams Hatching mid-February to November. Silkies are cute! They have the “awwwww” factor, so if you are looking for a pet chicken, get yourself a Silkie. These bantam chickens are gentle, docile and like people. They don’t fly well, and they don’t mind being confined.

Their feathers are described as “soft,” “downy,” and “fur-like”. These birds do not have barbicels, which allows their feathers spread out rather than hold together which looks like fur. Any blue variety ordered from Purely Poultry may include chicks with black, blue or splash plumage patterns. Production: Silkies are one of the most popular breeds for exhibition and are quite common. Silkie bantam chickens are not considered good layers as they tend to be broody, wanting to set on eggs instead. Their skin, bones and meat are bluish black and they are seen as a gourmet food for some. While many Silkies are kept as pets, some breeders also keep them because they are exceptionally broody and good mothers. A Silkie will hatch just about any other kind of egg and will mother the chicks. Because they are so docile and good natured, they sometimes suffer bullying by more aggressive breeds when kept in mixed flocks. History: No one is exactly sure where Silkies originated, but Marco Polo did mention black-skinned, furry chickens in his travels through Asia during the 13th century. There is speculation that the breed was brought west through the silk trade, but no one knows for sure.

There have been many myths about Silkies. They have been billed as being covered in mammal fur, being a hybrid of a chicken and a rabbit, and as having miracle healing properties. Of course none of the myths are true, and though they are unusual chickens, Silkies are, indeed, just chickens. The American Silkie Bantam Club was established in 1923 and continues as a strong organization today. They host poultry shows, publish a quarterly newsletter, an annual breeders directory, as well as host online forums and provide information about Silkies regularly to members. Colors: Black, Blue, Buff, White and many more Conservation Status:Common How to House Silkie Chickens How to House Silkie Chickens How to House Silkie Chickens March 13, 2010 By: Kristen Schnurman Silkies are a tame and adaptable breed of chicken. They range in size from large to bantam Silkies. Their extremely soft, almost fur-like plumage, covers their bodies from head to toe like a winter parka. This gives them a unique and lovable appearance. Silkies are also easy to care for. They can adjust to a variety of housing types and situations.

It is purely a matter of taste as to what your Silkie housing looks like. You can buy a professionally made chicken coop, create a chicken tractor with scrap lumber or even use a discarded dog or children's playhouse. Any of these options will work for Silkie housing as long as they include a few essential qualities. Even an old children's playhouse can be used as a Silkie chicken house. Step Make the coop draft free. Good Silkie housing must have a solid roof and walls. Silkies tolerate heat and cold well, but Silkies' feathers are not like other chickens' feathers. Water will not run off their backs. Your choice of housing must offer your birds a place of protection from rain, wind and too much sun. Step Offer fresh air and sunshine. Chickens thrive on foraging in the open. Silkies cannot fly because of their unique feathers. They adapt well to confinement, but they will be happier and healthier if you provide an enclosed chicken run where they can scratch for bugs, seeds and other delicacies. Plan four square feet of run area per bantam Silkie; eight to ten square feet for heavier Silkies. Step Provide perches.

Chickens like to roost sleeping with their feet off the ground. An old wooden ladder can work for large birds. Use one-inch dowels rods or small tree branches to accommodate bantam Silkies. Place the bottom roost at least two feet off of the ground and do not place roosts immediately above each other. This will help avoid birds pooping on other flock members while roosting. Allow about eight inches of perch per bird. Step Offer quiet nesting boxes. All chickens will seek a quiet nest area to lay eggs. Stressed birds will not lay eggs nor remain healthy for long. If you don't provide nesting boxes, your birds will find somewhere to lay eggs--leaving you to search for them or leaving you eggs that have become covered in droppings. Nesting boxes needn't be elaborate. Just three enclosed sides with a roof and bedding is all your Silkies need. Place nesting boxes two feet off the floor of the coop. Bantam Silkies can use 12-inch nesting boxes and larger birds need a larger, 14-inch box. Line nesting boxes with fresh straw. Provide one box per four hens. Step Protect your Silkies from predators. Silkies are not aggressive birds.

They cannot defend themselves from predators like some other chicken breeds. Good Silkie housing should be fully enclosed. Identify what type of predators you have in your area to ensure adequate protection. Neighborhood dogs and cats can be just as dangerous to your Silkies as hawks, raccoons or foxes. Consider using electrified wire around the bottom of your coop to discourage digging by predators. Step Provide clean food and water. Allow one feeder and waterer per 25 chickens. Place them far apart to discourage bullying by dominant birds. Hanging food and water troughs work well and stay cleaner. Be sure they are raised only a few inches off the ground so the littlest Silkie can reach them. Like cute animals? Follow Cuteness.com on Facebook for more AWWs and LOLs. Related Articles Silkies Loyalty Club Silkies I just love silkies and all their glorious fluffy colours! They are my first chicken love and have remained in my life for a very long time. My love for silkies started when i was a teenager when my dear Uncle Rob took me up a windy little road somewhere in Southern Tasmania and we both came home with half a dozen white fluffy bundles!

Although I thought the white colour was rather bland and boring, I thought they were just gorgeous .. and there started my love for these fluffy little bundles of joy I now keep my silkies in a wide range of colours, but my favourite is the lovely splash (pictured right). My silkies are bred for colour variation, and for a nice big pom pom head. Although most of my silkies are show quality, I breed for the pet market mainly with this breed. heres a little more information to help you decide... Temperament: docile, easy to handle Cost: $20 - $120 each Ideal owner: great for kids, novices and fowl enthusiasts History Chinese Silkies are believed to have originated in Asia, although despite the name, it is unclear whether it was in China, Japan or India. Amongst his many other exploits, Marco Polo is believed to have introduced this bird to the western world sometime between 1254 and 1324. Appearance It only takes one look at this chicken to see how it got its name. This soft, hairy-feathered fowl looks unlike most other poultry.

The Silkie's feathers lack barbs which would otherwise hold the strands together, thus the individual strands sit free of each other. Each of these strands are approximately 50mm to 75mm long and give the bird a soft and, well, silky appearance. The Chinese Silkie is available in two types, bearded and non-bearded, and differences are also apparent between males (cocks) and females (hens). Non-bearded silkies have large wattles (a fleshy appendage) about 25mm-40mm long below the beak. However the hen's wattles are much smaller than the cock's. Bearded Silkies, both male and female, have very small wattles (around 5mm long) and as the name suggests, a full, fluffy beard puffs up around the face. Both bearded and non-bearded Silkies have a feathery crest, like a powder puff, and a fleshy comb on top of the head. The cock's comb is much, much larger than the hens. However the comb doesn't look like what you might see on other types of fowl.

A Silkie's comb (called a rose or cushion comb) resembles a wart-like lump on the bird's forehead (see pic) rather than the spiky appendage one would normally imagine. Striking blue coloured lobes also adorn the ears. Silkies differ from other fowls in that they have dark flesh and five toes. Standard Silkies are mid-sized chickens and weigh around 1.5kg to 2kg. Cocks are larger than hens. Smaller varieties of chicken (called bantams) like the Pekin bantam can weigh as little as 500g whilst larger birds such as the Dorking may weigh around 6kg. In addition to the standard Silkie, breeders have developed the bantam Silkie, which was shown in Australia for the first time at the Sydney Royal Easter Show 2000. Temperament Silkies are one of the most compliant and docile animals ever born and despite their soft delicate appearance are reasonably robust. The birds can be tamed and are often regarded by their owners as a real pet. Combine this with their curious, delicate appearance and one can see why this bird is often an appealing choice for the novice or child.

Health and lifespan The warmer seasons usually bring with them a greater incidence of lice infestation. Broody hens (those sitting on eggs) will become most susceptible due to the bird's propensity to remain with the brood and not preen or bath itself. All birds should be checked regularly for lice and should have access to a dust bath. Silkies, their pens and nest boxes can be treated for lice each month during the warmer seasons and every two months during the cooler seasons with a proprietary de-lousing product such as Coopex® powder or solution. Scaly leg, caused by a mite which burrows under the skin, is best treated with an appropriate worming product. Fowls can be wormed every three months. Silkies have an average lifespan of 8 to 9 years. Grooming and maintenance Silkies don't require much extra care compared to other varieties of fowl. It is not uncommon for breeders to trim the 'undercarriage' of their broody hens as knotted feather strands can strangle chicks. Regular trimming of the nails is recommended; use strong scissors and file the nails smooth, as often as necessary.

Silkies are not a difficult breed to look after as pets though they are a popular exhibit bird and as with all exhibited animals preparation for showing involves extra effort. Prior to showing, exhibitors can spend considerable time washing and grooming their birds. Silkies are often washed in three different solutions prior to being either towel dried and left in the sun or blow dried. The feet are then brushed with an old toothbrush and the nails cleaned with a small nail file. Vaseline or baby oil is then rubbed into the skin on the feet and comb for a final clean and polish up. Feeding Most pelleted food is too coarse for these small fowl. Although I do like the Red Hen branded poultry food. Silkies should be fed on chick starter or chick grower, depending on their age. These products are available in most produce stores. Greens (grasses) are essential and if the fowl cannot run on grass, acceptable alternatives include cabbage or a little lettuce. Breeding and cost Unlike some crossbred pullets, Silkies are not repeat layers and will stop laying through winter. Breeders say to expect an average of 90 to 120 eggs per year.

Silkie hens are good mums and are often bred with other varieties of fowl due to their strong brooding instincts. Silkie enthusiasts claim some game bird breeders will also often look to buy Silkie hens to foster game chickens. A Silkie hen will comfortably raise 6 to 8 chicks. Silkies cost from around $20 to $120 per bird; it's best to buy them from a breeder. If just starting out, breeders recommend buying Silkies in pairs or in threes. Space and exercise Allow 2 to 3 square metres of coop space per pair. The Silkie's feather structure prevents the bird from being able to fly, so perches and nesting boxes should be low and easy to reach. The fowls can be housed on bare earth although shavings and deep litter is preferable to prevent damage to the feathers from rough, muddy conditions. Care should be taken that the Silkies don't fall into backyard pools and spas. The water easily weighs down the plumage and the bird may drown. Be mindful that predators such as dogs, cats and foxes would also find these birds easy targets. Recommended for: Silkies make excellent backyard and pet fowl.

They are reasonably quiet (though check with local council regulations governing the keeping of poultry in your area) and a couple of hens can be kept without the need for a rooster. While not prolific layers, 6 to 8 hens are adequate for a small family although the eggs are small, around 40 grams. Silkies are an ideal bird to introduce the novice and child to poultry keeping and pet care. They are suitable for children aged from around 6 years, though don't let the kids chase the birds around too much, it stresses the chooks and they can be easily hurt if trodden on. Copyright © 2014 - 2015 - - All rights reserved- COPYRIGHT: All contents of this site are the sole property of Riverbend Farm®. No part of this site including, but not limited to, text, photographs or images may be copied, republished or distributed without express permission. , sharing is great but please limit to just one photo and only a short excerpt from any post and must include a link back to my original post or webpage. Images may not be used for any commercial purpose without express written permission. All rights reserved and all copyright laws appy.

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Question: A silkie is what type of bird?
Answer: Chicken