Last Updated on July 15, 2021 by AwesomeChickens
With their beautiful fluffy feathers, friendly temper, and sweet character, silkie chickens are one of the most loved chicken breeds out there. After all, what’s not to love about them? Whether you’re a fan of the breed or you’re still not sure about how you feel about those fluffy birds, we can assure you that silkies are a great addition to any flock. In this article, we will learn about the main physical and character qualities of these wonderful birds.
Every chicken breed has its specific characteristics, which give the birds a distinctive appearance and subsequently a different care routine. Here are the most important things you should know when getting a silkie.
Table of Contents
Class
The silkie is a feather-legged true bantam and is smaller in size than many larger chicken breeds. Don’t worry, though. Their profuse feathering compensates for their small size. There are several varieties of silkie chickens, but their standards remain consistent for the breed. The American Poultry Association Standard Of Perfection for the Bearded Silkie gives the guidelines for identifying the primary characteristics of the breed if you are interested in showing your chickens.
Origin
This well-liked breed originated in China sometime before the 1200s and was given their funny name because of their unique plumage- which is described as silk-like. When Marco Polo wrote about them in the 13th century, we first hear about silkies, when he described ‘chickens with fur-like feathers’ in logs from his Asian adventures.
Silkies eventually made their to the west and were finally accepted into the North American Standard of Perfection in 1874. In present days silkies are all around the world, and you can see them in many backyard flocks.
Appearance
Looks aren’t everything. However, we can’t miss mentioning their unique appearance. The silkie is famous for its striking and quite impressive appearance. Its most noticeable feature, of course, is its fluffy silk-like plumage. Silkies also have many unique features that you will not find in many other chicken breeds, such as having five toes (instead of four) and dark blue or black flesh, bones, and turquoise blue earlobes. It is a fascinating breed indeed.
Silkies can be bearded (feathers below the beak) or non-bearded, have a walnut-shaped comb, and are also a crested bird, with the feathering surrounding their head often so profuse that you often can’t see their little faces. Their fantastic feathering also covers their legs which makes them resemble a big “fluffy chicken.”
Personality
Silkie chickens are one of the most lovely and sweet-natured breeds you will find. They are friendly and calm, so they can be the perfect bird – especially if you have kids. They will calmly sit in your child’s lap without any fear or hesitation. Silkies enjoy sitting close and enjoying the love and attention you give them.
Some birds get excited and fly around humans. On the other hand, silkies aren’t the flightiest of chickens and prefer direct human contact. This makes handling and snugging them a pleasure. Even if you have neighbors nearby, silkies are a very quiet breed. They usually only make louder noises when they have laid an egg or immediate danger exists. Most of all, silkies are known for their peaceful character, sweet personality, and fondness for humans. All in all, making them the perfect breed for any occasion.
Lifespan
The average silkie chicken will generally live between 7-9 years. However, it all depends on the environment you provide and the care they receive. There are many cases of silkies living up to 10-11 years. Provide them with a little extra TLC, and enjoy your time with them!
Eggs
Although silkies aren’t exactly famous for their egg-laying abilities, they can be good and consistent layers. They generally lay around two to three white or cream-colored eggs per week. Their eggs are smaller than other chicken breeds. However, don’t let that discourage you – they are as delicious as regular eggs.
Conclusion
The beauty and pleasant temperament of the silkie chicken makes it one of the most popular backyard chickens throughout the world. We encourage you to continue learning more about the basic care of silkies by reading an Introduction to Raising Silkie Chickens.
