Silkies

The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot. Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament, and are among the most docile of poultry. Hens are also exceptionally broody and care for young well. They are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species due to their broody nature.

It is unknown exactly where Silkies originate from, or when these fowl with their singular combination of attributes first appeared, but the most well documented point of origin is ancient China. Silkies lay a fair number of cream colored eggs, but production is often interrupted due to their extreme tendency to go broody. A hen will produce 130 eggs in an ideal year. They do well in confinement, and interact very well with children.

In the 21st century, Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken. They are often kept as ornamental fowl or pet chickens by backyard keepers. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds. This characteristic leaves Silkies unable to fly and gives them their silk-like feathers. A four foot fence is all that is required, making it very easy for backyard flock owners.

There are different standards for Silkies, such as bantam sized and standard sized, bearded and non-bearded.

We breed only bantam sized, bearded Silkies, which weigh in at 3 pounds for males and 2 pounds for females.

There are many different colors of silkies. We carry: White, Buff, Splash, Paint.