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.
About Silkie Chickens
