Silkies, We have all seen them and many of us have them. They are a breed all their own. I remember thinking when first saw a silkie, "that looks like an abominable snow-chicken!" Which is exactly what they look like! They are covered in feathers from the top of their head, to their feet! So if you own them now or might be interested in one day getting them, here is some cool info about the breed!
A Splash Silkie owned by
Deana Rogers's day old silkie chicks
The silkie has many characteristics. Most of them are easy to spot. Having fur completely covering them is one but another is that they have 5 toes! If a silkie doesn't have 5 toes, they consider it a genetic condition called polydactylism. Silkies have what is called a Walnut comb. The comb is normally a black or mulberry color. As I mentioned above, they also have black skin and also they have black bones. Centuries ago in China the bones of a silkie chicken were thought to have healing powers and they would be ground up and eaten. I myself, am not going to eat ground chicken bones, but hey whatever floats your boat.
There are many types of silkies that are recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA). Yes, they do come in a bantam size too! The colors that are recognized are White, Partridge, Gray, Splash, Black, Blue and Buff. Silkies are also available in bearded or non bearded.
Silkies are great mothers. They can become broody whether they have eggs to sit on or not. They were used in china to raise chicks because they are so great at it. Also, because of their feathering, they do very well in colder temperatures. They are fair egg layers giving between about 100 eggs a year. They lay cream colored eggs. As far as their meat goes, most people in America don't care to eat silkies. They are great pets and very friendly, but in China they consider it a delicacy. Silkie meat was actually featured on the 3rd season of Top Chef. It was also on the show "Chopped" twice. Famous chicken.
A white silkie sitting on her baby owned by Deana Rogers
A Splash Silkie owned by
Tamara Paradis-Bittner
Silkies come from Asia. They are an ancient breed because they are mentioned by Marco Polo during his travels to china in the 13th century. He wrote about a fur covered fowl with black skin. Silkies have a blue slate colored skin under all that fur. That is one old chicken! Once a trade route was established and they were brought to Europe, Silkies showed up in the Netherlands and were sold as "a cross between a rabbit and a chicken"
Silkies come from Asia. They are an ancient breed because they are mentioned by Marco Polo during his travels to china in the 13th century. He wrote about a fur covered fowl with black skin. Silkies have a blue slate colored skin under all that fur. That is one old chicken! Once a trade route was established and they were brought to Europe, Silkies showed up in the Netherlands and were sold as "a cross between a rabbit and a chicken"
Deana Rogers's day old silkie chicks
The silkie has many characteristics. Most of them are easy to spot. Having fur completely covering them is one but another is that they have 5 toes! If a silkie doesn't have 5 toes, they consider it a genetic condition called polydactylism. Silkies have what is called a Walnut comb. The comb is normally a black or mulberry color. As I mentioned above, they also have black skin and also they have black bones. Centuries ago in China the bones of a silkie chicken were thought to have healing powers and they would be ground up and eaten. I myself, am not going to eat ground chicken bones, but hey whatever floats your boat.
Samantha Avery's White Silkie Rooster & Splash Hen
There are many types of silkies that are recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA). Yes, they do come in a bantam size too! The colors that are recognized are White, Partridge, Gray, Splash, Black, Blue and Buff. Silkies are also available in bearded or non bearded.
Silkies are great mothers. They can become broody whether they have eggs to sit on or not. They were used in china to raise chicks because they are so great at it. Also, because of their feathering, they do very well in colder temperatures. They are fair egg layers giving between about 100 eggs a year. They lay cream colored eggs. As far as their meat goes, most people in America don't care to eat silkies. They are great pets and very friendly, but in China they consider it a delicacy. Silkie meat was actually featured on the 3rd season of Top Chef. It was also on the show "Chopped" twice. Famous chicken.
A white silkie sitting on her baby owned by Deana Rogers
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