They prefer perches that are low and close to the ground so that it is easier for them to hop up without injuring themselves. They have oval shaped turquoise blue earlobes and dark colored wattles. See more ideas about silkie chickens, chickens, silkies. Although, the white silkie chickens are quite expensive than any other silkie chicken. Their legs are short and grey and set wide apart for stability. If you want a chicken that lays lots of eggs, the Silkie is not your bird. – but believe us, raising one of these quirky birds is absolutely worth it. In a pure bred the comb should be mulberry (deep red) in color. In their homeland (China and the Far East) the Silkie had been providing eggs and meat for the affluent for many centuries. There have been paint silkies in Europe for some time. They are truly more of a pet and any other chicken there is. They are unusual in that they really do not care to roost at night. As of 2020, America has eight Silkie Chicken colors that are popular. We’ve kept chickens from fertilized eggs all the way to old hen and made a ton of beautiful memories with our flock and our children. Therefore, it’s not wise to raise Silkies solely for egg production, as you will likely be disappointed. Earlobes are unusual in that they are a light blue in color. If you’re interested in raising a Silkie chicken, know that there isn’t much you need to do in order to keep them happy and healthy. Despite this, they have become a firm backyard favorite as a brooding hen (one of her many positive attributes). We are considering letting someone incubate some of her eggs to get some Silkie chicks. If you have children, a Silkie chicken is one to consider, because it will get along well with children of all dispositions. I am new to it all and wish I had started this year’s back. Most white silkies have the recessive white gene instead of the dominant white gene. Even non-toxic hair dyes may be harmful if your chicken ingests them while it’s grooming itself, so it’s safer to stick to food coloring. If you must pick up or handle your SIlkie chicken, you should set them down carefully on the ground afterward. Eyes are black. Any … They have found their way into the hearts and minds of poultry lovers all over the world. This produces some problems for the Silkie. Even their egg song is performed quietly! Whether you have kept chickens for years, or are just starting out on your chicken journey. If you are gentle, neither of these behaviors will harm the feathers of the bird. So much so that my husband came in the other day and said Donna do I know how many chicken’s you have? See our Silkie Chicken pictures and colours below. Because the feathers of a Silkie extend all the way down to its feet, you need to be careful if you are keeping your flock in a wet or cold area. Beneath all their feathers you may be surprised to find that their skin is black – but it does not stop there. Due to its unique appearance, the Silkie chicken is surrounded by some interesting folklore. It may be tempting to move your Silkie chicks to an outdoor pen sooner since they are covered in such dense feathers, but you really need to wait to make sure they have enough feathers to handle colder temperatures. I don’t know which hen laid them. In addition to those concerns, these are some Red Silkies are not common, but they do exist, and are often confused with Buff Silkies. I live with my husband, 3 kids, 2 dogs and 6 Silkies. Most people who have paints for the first time will breed a paint to a true dark black silkie. Their hackles, backs, and saddles are colored in glossy green with black hues, and decorated with red lacing. Silkies aren’t the only chicken breed to exhibit this unique quality – other breeds like Sultans, Faverolles, and Dorking chickens also have this characteristic. Buying the best you can afford Read More →, Introducing new chickens to an existing flock can be a daunting prospect. I have 5 silkie hens that I hatched. If you expect or need a lot of eggs, however, you can try to break her from this behavior by placing her in a wire-bottomed cage away from the flock. Silkie chicken price. It is not hard to see why the Silkie enjoys a special place among poultry fanciers as she is a reliable broody and a delightful family pet. It is a lovely bird to have for children since their feathers feel more like fur and lends itself to stroking. These bizarre-looking chicken breed is believed to have come from Asia. According to "Silkies and Silkie Bantams" by Sigrid Van Dort, the eb recipe listed first is the most common genetic basis for black silkies. What colors do they come in? This is because the meat has a richer, gamier flavor than the meat of other chicken breeds, and it is also a little bit darker. All Read More →, Hello Chris, I am new to Silkies…. People enjoy presenting their unique Silkies in popular poultry shows. It said that … Alternative hues, such as cuckoo, lavender, red, and splash also exist. You will need a minimum of 4 square feet per Silkie inside your coop. You have probably heard horror stories about how new chicks are badly pecked and hurt by established flocks. There aren’t many dissimilarities between the genders, and you usually won’t’ be able to tell them apart until the silkie hens start laying eggs or the roosters start crowing. Keeping reading to learn more about this unique chicken…. Our Silkie Chicken Experts: Jess. Do you keep Silkies in your flock? The various silkie bantam chicken breeds we have for sale give you a variety of color choices. It is even believed to strengthen the muscles and bolster the immune system. The Silkie breed is fairly resistant to the cold but are very sensitive to high temperatures. A fully enclosed area to keep out hawks would be best since their vision can be impaired by their head feathers. Some strains of the Silkie are more prone to Marek’s disease than others. We have bearded and non bearded. When your Silkie chickens molt, they will produce an exceptional amount of dust. (Guide), 15 Best Meat Chickens (Breed List with Pictures), Can Chickens Swim? chickens that make them a superior choice when compared to other kinds of This Silkie chicken is probably one of the more-unique looking chicken breeds out there. These are a light cream color, with each hen laying around 100 to 150 eggs per year. Silkies just love being carried around or having cuddles. PARTRIDGE SILKIE. That being said, the Silkie chicken can be traced back to other locations in Southeast Asia as well, such as Java and India. This sweet chicken is completely happy being your pet. One thing you should know is that they lack barbicels on their feathers. They are packed with frills you see on other breeds as well but not all together on one chicken (breed). The Silkie chicken, also sometimes spelled Silky Chicken, is a unique and interesting breed that has become a popular addition to backyard flocks across the world. He's our only Roo and he LOVES all of our hens but we only have one Silkie. You may have to wait until spring has really set in to move your birds. Silkies don’t fly well, so you don’t need to worry about building an abnormally tall fence. Next to silkiedness, five toes a leg, a crest/tassel, leg feathers, black skin is a Their feathers are not waterproof, so you need to provide them with ample shelter during rainy periods. The exact amount of eggs you receive from your SIlkie chicken will vary depending on the conditions in which it is living, as well as on the individual bird. They love human company and enjoy being fussed over – all of which makes them the perfect family pet. The ideal waterer will keep the water clean and fresh. You can find standard-sized Silkies in Europe and other locations, but unfortunately, they just aren’t commonplace in the States quite yet. Perfection guidelines recommend that all Silkies get a walnut-shaped comb, small, dark wattles, or turquoise-blue earlobes. It was sold by some as a hybrid between a rabbit and a chicken and was a frequent exhibit in circus sideshows as a curiosity. They are very mellow and have been seen tidbitting and helping baby chicks to learn what is good to eat. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. As for eating them, you can cook them all the same ways as you would a regular egg. Supplementing their feed with fresh greens and the occasional treat will keep them happy, active and healthy. This tooth falls off a few days after hatching. Silkies are flightless and they cannot swim! Go. most people keep the colors separate only certain colors can be shown. You can treat as needed or schedule regular treatments, the choice is yours. All chickens produce dust as they grow out their feathers, with the shafts flaking off as the feathers grow out. The popularity of this breed is stronger now than it has been in many years! Bearded Silkies have an extra muff of feathers under the beak area that covers the earlobes. Thank you for the information. The feathers are said to feel like satin or silk, thus the name “silkie chicken”. pick a color you like and go from there they are addictive fluff balls As a result, it is used in many traditional Asian dishes such as in curries, Chinese soup, braising recipes, broths, and more. Silkies will usually live for 7-8 years, but with lots of loving care can live much longer. Their beak is short, quite broad at the base, it should be grey/blue in color. They also have black skin, bones and dark meat. 4. They also are separated according to color. Occasionally, you may need to lightly groom your SIlkie chicken to make sure he or she can see and get around without any issues. Our Silkie Chicken Experts: Jess. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. Silkies eventually traveled west on the Silk Road and reached North American soil shortly after via the maritime trade. Standard sized birds will each require a minimum of 8 square feet in the run (bantams slightly less). My silkies were hatched 1 July 2020 and I have yesterday had first egg and today another. Beneath their feathers, they are unique from other breeds in that they have black skin and bones. Silkies are prized for their plumage, and now audra72 NC Chicken Mama. Whilst they are not known to Read More →, Choosing the right chicken waterer for your flock can save you a lot of time and work. If you are keeping Silkie chickens for poultry shows or breeding purposes, your birds must have these traits in order to qualify. 1. Unfortunately, although Silkies have the potential to lay an exceptional amount of eggs, their laying season is often cut short by their tendency to go broody. Silkies appear in two distinct varieties: bearded and non-bearded. You will need to bear in mind that Silkies cannot fly so the nesting boxes need to be accessible. https://californiacountryranch.blogspot.com/p/silkie-chicks-all-age… It was recognized officially in North America in 1874, rising to popularity quite rapidly in the States. Chickens vs Guinea Hens: How to Choose Which to Raise, Introducing New Chickens to Your Flock (How-To Guide). However, I will attempt to answer your question. March 7, 2017 December 1, 2018 by vjppoultry, posted in New Silkies. eb/eb s+ Pg/Pg (Cha/Cha) The common fault of partridge silkies having a black crest can be attributed to the Cha (Charcoal) gene. 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