Diversity

About Silkie ChickensAbout Silkie Chickens




Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) chicken have an atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. They have several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. They are often exhibited in poultry shows, and appear in various colors, including white and chocolate brown.  

Silkies are considered a bantam breed in some countries, but this varies according to region and many breed standards class them officially as large fowl; the bantam Silkie is actually a separate variety most of the time.

Silkies are a friendly breed who are very easy to train to eat out of your hand. Silkie hens are one of the most famous brooders, making them a great choice as foster mothers should you ever need a flock of chicks taken care of. They don't need a lot of space for their run and cannot fly, making it easy to have a few Silkies in a small space. Their feathers keep them warm in cold weather as well, making them even easier to care for.