Cool fact: Silkies were written about by Marco Polo in the 13th century, who wrote of 'chickens with fur-like feathers' in logs from his Asian travels. The feathers on this particular chicken breed are incredibly fluffy. And Australian Poultry Standard weight for bantam Silkies is 0.68 kg for roosters and 0.57 kg for hens. Please seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Colors of the Silkie are blue, black, white, buff, splash, partridge, gray, lavender, red, cuckoo and porcelain. Because of their small size and personality they are better off not mixed with other chicken breeds – tendency to be bullied. Silkie chicken is one of the most popular and beloved ornamental chicken breeds. Silkie Chicken Eggs Production: Silkies are one of the most popular breeds for exhibition and are quite common. This breed chicken head is crested, looking somewhat like a ‘pom-pom’. Well, Silkies do have feathers, but they don’t have the barbicels that hold most feathers together. The boys make good pets and will look after their ladies well. It is thought that they originated in India, China or Japan and they arrived in Europe around 200 years ago where they were sold as crosses between rabbits and chickens! Your email address will not be published. Silkie chicken is a really unique looking and gorgeous bird. The Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. The roosters typically weigh in at just 3 lbs when fully grown. The Silkie is … Notify me of follow-up comments by email. In fact, many game bird breeders will commonly use Silkies to naturally incubate eggs from birds such as quails and pheasants. It has hair-like plumage, which is considered as actual mammalian fur. Underneath this little mound of hair lies a vaulted skull. One of the most distinguishing features of the Silkie chicken is the muff of ear feathers and beard that each of these chickens possesses. If a comb is present, it should look like a ‘walnut’, being almost circular in appearance. It can affect all chicken breeds though. Experts are of the opinion that its place of origin could have even been either India or Java. Job Circular The origin of the Silkie hen is uncertain although they have been around for several hundred years. Despite some having a much larger appearance with all those fluffy feathers, there isn’t a lot underneath. Silkie Bantams are some of the most charming and beguiling oddities of the Poultry Fancy. Other colors also exist, which include; Red, Splash, Cuckoo and Lavender. Fish The pros and cons of the Silkie Chicken …, Related Topic – 15 Most Common Chicken Diseases, Symptoms and Treatment, Your email address will not be published. The Silkie chicken appears in two distinct varieties. They are unable to fly and can be kept easily with low fencing. The exact location from where they were developed or found is not known. There is a bantam version of this breed. Today the breed is the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental chicken breed. The British Poultry Standard and Australian Poultry Standard call for much smaller bantam Silkies. 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It was named as Silkie chicken because of it’s a typically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. About | Contact The Silkie is a delicate bird to sex, and this is difficult to determine until they are around 6 months old already. This consists of a puff of feathers atop its head. Before you decide on buying Silkies, get acquainted with their characteristics and needs, so you know what to expect to avoid disappointment. Today, Silkies are present in North America, Asia, and Europe. Photo from Wikipedia. Don’t get them if you want them for eggs or meat. Since silkies are docile, it may be possible to keep more than 1 male bird with the flock. The breed was valued as a medicinal food item because of its black skin and bones. That is just another interesting observation about these unique birds! The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. The Silkie chicken has a distinctive look. The name silkie is given for their stunning plumage. When a bird preens, it is clicking the tiny barbicels together, so their feathers stay in … These include the Crevecoeur, the Sultan, Polish, and Houdan. Advertise Below: a Silkie rooster. Quail Silkie chicken was first admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874. The Beautiful Silkie Bantams. They are very cold hardy and also do well in confinement. Chicken As the breed is small in size, so they are mistakenly called a bantam breed in some countries. They are a Tiny, but super cute! Good information. This feathering also extends down their legs. And the bantam chicken’s weight vary depending on different standards. If you’re going to keep silkies with other chickens, go for Polish chickens or bantams. Some poultry fanciers consider Silkie hens as the ideal organic incubator. They are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed’s characteristics as well. Silkie chicken is very calm, trusting and friendly. The general characteristics of the male Silkie: Carriage: Stylish, compact and lively. If you touch the chicken, the feathers feel ‘silk-like’ (hence the name of the breed). Chickens do have various sizes and shapes, not only in different breeds, but also in the same breed as well. The Silkie's characteristic 'silky' feathers look that way because they don't have the 'barbs' other chickens do. The breed is thought be originated in China, India or Japan. The Silkie has turquoise earlobes that are oval shaped with dark wattles; the beak also grey-blue in color. Chicken Run Plans & Ideas Affiliate Disclaimers | Privacy However, being so popular, they made their way to other countries too, such as Europe and North America. Black, White, Grey, Blue, Splash, Buff, Partridge are the standard colors with many off standard & derivative colors in existence today. A Frame Chicken Coop Plans The Silkie's comb is different from most other chickens in that it resembles a wart-like lump on its forehead, rather than the spiky one that most chickens sport. The breed is extremely suitable as pets, especially suitable for children. Silkie chicken is mainly used for ornamental purpose. Silkie chicken has very light in weight but it is a good layer. You can purchase Silkie chickens that are bearded or non-bearded. Barbicels are small hooks that connect the feathers. Silkie chickens certainly don’t look like your average chicken due to their lack of feathers. Silkies tend to be docile chickens, which means that other breeds can sometimes bully them. They are not noisy either, being quiet in nature. So they are frequently used as foster mothers for other birds. Can't you tell why? Although the Silkie chickens have been around for several hundred years, but it’s origin is uncertain. Because of their such plumage, they are unable to fly. Silkie Characteristics. If another chicken gives the silkie a good, strong peck on top of its head, it can actually cause neurological damage or even kill them. Good show chickens and some pet-quality silkies have skulls that are actually arched up at the top of their heads which leaves a vulnerable spot. Many people want to keep them as pets because they have such sweet personalities and they look so striking and cute. Below: A silkie chicken. PVC Chicken Feeder. Silkie bantam chickens are not considered good layers as they tend to be broody, wanting to set on the bantam silkie chicken eggs instead. White bearded Silkie bantam chickens (Exhibition Type) where the first Silkie variety admitted to the American Standard of Perfection, in 1874. Is The Silkie Chicken Right Choice For You? The breed has many unusual qualities like black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. Its soft, fluffy plumage is like silk to touch. 10 silkies in the incubator and 21 sizzles in the incubator. Their plumage appears like down or fur rather than feathers. Other chicken breeds which exhibit this rare 5 toe trait include; Faverolles, Dorking and Sultan. Disclaimer While their fur-like feathers are different from other … The eyes are black. Their eggs are creamy in color and size of eggs is small-sized to medium sized. Duck The breed is also known as Silky. And it is currently one of the most entertaining birds to watch. And the bantam Silkie chicken is actually a separate variety. White Silkies are a striking combination of black skin and fluffy white feathers, set off with a deep mulberry comb and wattles. They’re a chicken breed using a wide, stout appearing body that’s coated in nice feathers that are fluffy. They possess many characteristics that set them apart from the other breeds of chickens; the most obvious being the texture of their feathers which is almost fur or silk-like in appearance - hence their name. A standard Silkie will weigh as little as three to four pounds, with the males being the heavier. Terms Of Sevice When building a flock, learning about different breeds, their laying and brooding habits, and distinct characteristics and personalities is essential for choosing the right chickens for your backyard coop. Review characteristics, behavior, temperament and full breed profile of Silkie chicken below. Privacy Policy Other chicken breeds also have crests. They also have good maternal instincts, willing to sit on other birds’ eggs, even turkeys. Silkie chickens are bred more for ornamental purposes than for the meat and the egg-producing abilities. And their comb looks like a … Silkies also have dark blue/black skin, meat, and bones. DIY Chicken Feeder And Waterer White, Black, Partridge, Buff, Grey and Blue are the colors of Silkie chicken recognized for competitive showing. Silkie chickens are bred more for ornamental purposes than for the meat and the egg-producing abilities. Type: Body broad and stout looking. In fact, if you didn’t know better, it would appear as if the chicken has fur. I love poultry like pets or other animals, love talking about them; the real-life experience is always surprising! Hens … Silkie chicken and pork rib soups prepared by four-stage stewing technique had particle size smaller than 850 nm, smaller chromatic aberration, higher stability, higher levels of free amino acids, lower levels of fat and total triglycerides than the other two techniques. An example for that is the ‘Bantams’ (miniature chickens), that are usually one-fifth to one-third the size of the standard breed. Silkie chickens are a bantam breed that is believed to have originated in ancient China. They have black skin and bones and 5 toes instead of the normal 4. However, nevertheless, the origin of the Silkie is not sufficiently ascertained. They usually do little or no damage to the garden if given them to access freely. They are also known to be susceptible to a disease called Marek’s Disease. Bearded and non-bearded Silkies have a feathery crest, or topknot, on the top of their head. Because they are docile, they can get bullied by other chickens. They seem to enjoy plenty of attention and become rather tame. Turkey, About Us Cow Silkies are most certainly different in many ways to a ‘regular’ chicken appearance!The head should be crested, looking somewhat like a ‘pom-pom’ (similar to a polish chicken). Silkies are unlike other chicken breeds in that their skin is a dark blue-black color. Some of the Silkie breeds have a skull which arches upward, making the crest look more prominent. It has an interesting crest. Their plumage looks like fur or down instead of feathers. But it is a standard breed of large fowl class. Silkie hens are not good layers. They arrived in Europe around 200 years ago, and reached the United Kingdom around the mid 1880s. Sitemap Poultry Ostrich They lay a few cream or tinted colored eggs. Silkies: The Teddy Bears of Chickens. Silkie Chicken History and Characteristics This breed is believed to have originated in China, although it is not known when. They are often exhibited in poultryshows, and appear in various colors. Another name for the bird is the Chinese Silk Chicken, which shows its Chinese origin. If you are keeping Silkie chickens for poultry shows or breeding purposes, your birds must have these traits in order to qualify. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Silkies have an ancient history of which their exact origin is unknown.One point in their origin that is well documented is Ancient China as such the birds were once known as Chinese Silk Chicken.Marco Polo wrote of a “furry chicken” he encountered during his travels to Asia in the 13th Century. Description. They can lay anything between 100-120 eggs a year, but they can also stop laying eggs altogether during summer time. Their primary characteristic is their Silkie feathers, which look more like fur than like … More abundant flavor and taste characteristics were also detected. Let’s share some of them one by one on the blog. Due, barbicels is lacked by their plumage. It is a very old Asiatic chicken breed. Only difference is, my 2nd silkie roo, does not crow, or shuffle around the pullet. Sheep, Bee Original Silkies were standard sized, shown more in the UK. American Standard of Perfection calls for roosters that are 1 kg, and hens that are 0.907 kg. Marco Polo, the explorer commented about a “furry chicken” he had seen on his travels, and it is thought this was the Silkie. This breed is quite different in look. Their skin, bones, and meat are bluish-black and they are seen as a gourmet food for some. Silkie chickens also have beautiful, soft, fluffy feathers which are unlike those of other hard-feathered poultry. Hi, this is Pauline G. Carter. Silkie hens cheerfully brood and raise their unorthodox offspring too, if given the chance. Rabbit It might be necessary to trim their feathers around their eyes so that they can see a bit better as well. And unlike most chickens, they have 5 toes on each foot (most chickens only have 4). According to the British Standard, the roosters weight 0.6 kg and hens 0.5 kg. Review full breed profile of Silkie chicken below. Let’s Go …. With their fluffy feathers, they can also be vulnerable to lice and mites to you need to pay attention to the health of these gorgeous birds. Without them, the feathers stick up. The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its cute manner and fluffy plumage that feels like silk or satin. Sometimes the feathering on a Silkie’s head is so profuse that it’s difficult to see its face. Silkie Chicken Characteristics Silkie chicken is a very unique looking and beautiful bird. It's been said that Silkies will try to incubate a tennis ball if given the chance. Silkie chickens have feather that’s a little like fur. Learn how your comment data is processed. People say that the Silkie has like a UV-cone in their eyes, enabling it to see shades of color which helps them to be such good forages, and even to determine the health of their chicks!. Their flesh color is grayish-black. The fluffiness makes them look much bigger than they actually are - and makes them feel very soft to the touch. Barbicels are the hooked projections normally extending from and interlocking the secondary branches of chicken’s feathers. Deer According to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection, all the Silkie chickens have small walnut comb which is a deep mulberry approaching black. Many breeders now focus their programs on developing and enhancing the unique characteristics of the Silkie chicken. The Silkie chicken doesn’t fly well at all. Standard Silkie roosters weight about 1.8 kg and hens about 1.36 kg. When one thinks of the Silkie Chickens, one thinks of soft silky, fluffy hair – its lovely plumage. They are a lightweight chicken with a broad, stout looking body which is covered in fine fluffy feathers. It is among the most docile of poultry. They are happy go lucky additions to the backyard flock. Nevertheless, these birds are also called Chinese silk chicken, which more or less settles the debate about its place of origin. January 4, 2020 June 27, 2019 by Nirmal. The standard sized Silkie weighs in at only 3-4 pounds. Now they are to be found all over the world. This bird’s feathers don’t hold together; the reason why it can’t fly. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. General characteristics of the Silkie. The hens stop laying eggs during the summer months. The Silkie chicken is well named. You get the non-bearded variety and the bearded variety. Silkies also need to be near fresh and clean water at all times because they can drink up to half-liter of water; keep their water containers filled. Whatever your opinion is at first sight, after reading our ultimate guide on the Silkie chicken, these fluffy oddities of the chicken … Chicken Breed Information - Silkie Bantam - Of all the ornamental chicken breeds, the Silkie Bantam is one of the most popular and beloved, and certainly one of the most entertaining to watch. But they are great mothers, and go broody frequently. No one is 100% about the Silkies’ origins, although it is believed they started somewhere in China or India; somewhere in Asia. And they are kept for both ornamental and exhibition purpose. Finally, an interesting characteristic of Silkie chickens is that they have extra toes. Silkie Chickens (often spelled Silky) is the chicken breed called for its unusually fluffy plumage that is said to believe like satin or silk. The comb coloring should be black or dark mulberry – any other color and it is not a pure Silkie.They have oval shaped turquoise blue earlobes and dark colored wattles. Many people want to keep them as pets because they have such sweet personalities and they look so striking and cute. Silkie chickens are also separated according to color. In an attempt to increase the crest size of the Silkie, the birds have also been crossed with the Polish. Pallet Chicken Coop Plans Silkie Feathers. Silkie chicken is a very unique looking and beautiful bird. The breed has many other uncommon characteristics from each foot, like black skin or bones, blue earlobes, or five toes, while the majority of chickens have only 4. It also means the feathers aren’t waterproof, so when the bird is wet, it looks like it’s waterlogged. Silkie roosters are more docile and better natured than some other breeds. Is The Silkie Chicken Right Choice For You? Their legs color is dark-blue with abundant feathering. Pigeon The Silkie chicken should be kept in dry conditions, because their feathers are not waterproof. They have turquoise blue earlobes and dark wattles. Thought be originated in China, India or Japan. Silkies are one of the best broody birds in the chicken world. Do they interact well with other breads of chickens? That’s the Silkie, and with that, comes an equally lovely personality. Required fields are marked *. Bantam chickens are smaller than normal-size chickens. The distinctive plumage comes about because of a recessive gene. They are even supremely happy to hatch the eggs of other birds. It is a charming and beguiling fluffy bundle and comes in standard and bantam sizes. Silkie chickens are sweet, charming chickens, calm and docile. What makes Silkie chickens have such distinct feathers is that these feathers don’t have barbicels. In the USA the Silkie is classified as a bantam breed, and these can weigh in only at around 18 ounces. I have 3 Silkies, all 6 months old (2 roos and one pullet). Because, their plumage lacks barbicels. All your characteristics are exactly on point, even the beaks. Goat Silkie chicken Breed characteristics and information. They're the lap kitty of the chicken world, complete with hair-like plumage and an incredibly sweet temperament. The average lifespan of Silkie chicken is around 9 years. A popular and unique breed, the Silkie is instantly recognisable by its pompom, fifth toe, black skin and profuse fluffy plumage, caused by an absence of barbs on the feathers which prevents them from knitting together. Then there are the bantams, which are miniature versions, they weigh around 2-2.2 lbs. Write us at poultrycaresunday(at)gmail{dot}com with any questions or concerns! The Silkie has 5 toes compared to most other breeds which only have 4. They also have quite dense ‘under fluff’, and sometimes the tiny chicks get caught up in this which sometimes results in fatalities. Learn how your comment data is processed. Blog | Facebook. The fluff around their tails also might need trimming for breeding and hygiene purposes. They also have a comb (a fleshy area on top of head). The Silkie Chicken – Everything You Need To Know Some call them funny; a few bizarre, while others say they are the indisputable weirdos of the chicken world. Subscribe ROY'S FARM newsletter for news, updates and receiving notifications of new posts by email. Related Topic – 69 DIY Chicken Coop Plans and Ideas – Easy to Build (100% Free). When looked after, and that also means keeping them clean and dry, they can live around 9 years old. In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); PoultryCareSunday.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. Silkies are one of the smallest breeds of chicken. Which are Bearded and Not-Bearded. They are a lightweight chicken breed with broad, stout looking body which is covered in fine fluffy feathers. Chicken Varieties. Last Updated on September 12, 2020 by Pauline G. Carter. Bearded variety has an extra muff of feathers under the beak area which covers the earlobes. In at just 3 lbs when fully grown the barbicels that hold feathers! T a lot underneath are also known to be found all over world. Weight about 1.8 kg and hens about 1.36 kg, even the beaks the bearded variety can. But they don ’ t have the barbicels that hold most feathers together bird! Ball if given the chance and characteristics this breed is small in size, when! Skull which arches upward, making the crest look more prominent of attention and become rather tame exact from! On a Silkie ’ s disease origin is uncertain and hygiene purposes pets and look! To avoid disappointment or down instead of feathers each of these chickens possesses after their ladies.... Fine fluffy feathers which are unlike other chicken breeds which exhibit this rare 5 trait! Then there are the bantams, which means that other breeds using a wide, stout body... Breeders now focus their programs on developing and enhancing the unique characteristics of the Silkie is good. Incubator and 21 sizzles in the USA the Silkie chicken is a good.... 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Keep more than 1 male bird with the Polish making the crest of... Be necessary to trim their feathers around their eyes so that they can lay between... Or other animals, love talking about them ; the beak also grey-blue in and. Characteristics and needs, so they are a lightweight chicken breed with broad, stout body! Are creamy in color and size of the standard sized Silkie weighs at. 100-120 eggs a year, but they can also silkie chicken characteristics laying eggs during summer! Enjoy plenty of attention and become rather tame more or less settles the debate about place... The chance because their feathers are not waterproof its face of black skin and plumage! Polish chickens or bantams with dark wattles ; the beak also grey-blue in color, birds! Feathers feel ‘ silk-like ’ ( hence the name Silkie is a delicate bird to,... Perfection, in 1874 chickens for Poultry shows or breeding purposes, your birds must have these traits order! Love talking about them ; the beak area which covers the earlobes 100-120 eggs a year, it! Or fur rather than feathers the feathering on a Silkie ’ s weight vary depending on different.... Vary depending on different standards from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency:! And Ideas – Easy to Build ( 100 % Free ) plumage, which are miniature versions they...

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