0. By JudyE Mar 10, 2011. For baby chickens, the best is always Chick Starter when they are under 8 weeks old. The Silkie chicken is well named. The breed has many other uncommon characteristics from each foot, like black skin or bones, blue earlobes, or five toes, while the majority of chickens … It is unknown from where (or when), exactly, these breeds originated, but the most well-documented potential origin is ancient China. A popular trade item on the Silk Road, the geography of the Silkie chicken lends itself naturally to the name of this breed. My silkie rooster is LOUD. The Silkie can be eaten in a soup for an example. Silkie Characteristics. Chicken Breeds The Silkie. The feathers on this particular chicken breed are incredibly fluffy. Because of their black skin, their Chinese language name is wu gu ji, which means “black-boned chicken.” It is advisable to feed them in the morning before they are let out to forage. 0. These otherworldly birds sport a huge list of bizarre features, with black skin and bones, turquoise earlobes, feathered feet, five toes, beards, and their uniquely hair-like feathers. They have typical Silkie downy feathering, dark skin, and many of the Silkie characteristics, particularly the broodiness. The Silkie chicken is also known simply as ‘Silky’, and it is a very old Asiatic chicken breed.Exact origin of this breed is uncertain, although these birds have been around for several hundred years. Cool fact: Silkies were written about by Marco Polo in the 13th century, who wrote of 'chickens with fur-like feathers' in logs from his Asian travels. Keep silkies and chickens with similar temperaments together. Silkie chicken has very light in weight but it is a good layer. For those living in the city, our sexing guarantee coverage helps ensure the family doesn’t get stuck trying to home an unwanted rooster. Silkies are an ancient breed that has their origins in Asia, most likely in China. Unique Physical Characteristics of the Silkie Chicken. They are expected to exhibit all of the standard breed’s characteristics as well. They were first found in China and once referred to as ‘furry chickens’ by the Venitian explorer Marco Polo. Feathers of Silkie chicken are fur-like smooth feathers. Paint silkies have been recently added to the ABA (American Bantam Association) approved list of silkie varieties for showing. The comb color will be in be black or dark mulberry. #3 Silkie boys have a natural instinct to protect their girls (as do 99% of other roosters).Most silkie roosters are docile (up to a degree), but will do things like.. Silkies also have dark skin and ear lobes, which are features not found in most chicken breeds, as well as a fifth toe, which is also not common in most chickens. If you touch the chicken, the feathers feel ‘silk-like’ (hence the name of the breed). Chicken Varieties. The combs are walnut in type. Judy Lee of Nashville, TN is credited with discovering and developing the first American Paint silkies. 0. But the exact location from where they were developed or … The Origin of Silkie Chickens. Characteristics. Chickens do have various sizes and shapes, not only in different breeds, but also in the same breed as well. Overall, the Silkie is an outstanding chicken breed, which is why it is considered to be one of the top 20 chicken breeds. Since silkies are docile, it may be possible to keep more than 1 male bird with the flock. Below: A silkie chicken. Male Characteristics. An example for that is the ‘Bantams’ (miniature chickens), that are usually one-fifth to one-third the size of the standard breed. Silkie plumage was once unique among chicken breeds, however in recent years silkie feathering has been developed in several breeds, mostly notably the Chabo, where it is now standardised in Britain and the Netherlands. And their comb looks like a ‘walnut’, means almost circular in appearance. The Silkie Chicken - Characteristics. The Look of the Silkie Chicken. Silkies are a cute, fluffy, small breed chicken with a calm personality. The Silkie chicken always brings a smile to peoples’ faces. The Silkie is a breed of chicken named for its cute manner and fluffy plumage that feels like silk or satin. But as with all breeds, temperament can vary from chicken to chicken. As adults, one of the most obvious signs that a Silkie is a rooster (male) instead of a hen (female) is his size. The Silkie Chicken – Everything You Need To Know Some call them funny; a few bizarre, while others say they are the indisputable weirdos of the chicken world. Whatever your opinion is at first sight, after reading our ultimate guide on the Silkie chicken, these fluffy oddities of the chicken … Silkie Chicken Temperament The feather’s texture is silk-like which makes it different from other chickens. Silkies tend to be docile chickens, which means that other breeds can sometimes bully them. They’re a chicken breed using a wide, stout appearing body that’s coated in nice feathers that are fluffy. and the hen at 32 oz. Due, barbicels is lacked by their plumage. Silkies have been known to do this for chicks as well. So, they should be friendly, even the rooster. My roo is a love. It is thought to be originated in China, India or Japan. For color, Silkie chickens should be either black or white, although different colors may be allowed depending on your specific region. General characteristics of the Silkie. It is a charming and beguiling fluffy bundle and comes in standard and bantam sizes. The bearded Silkie… "Showgirl" chickens - are they Silkies? Showgirls, which are very popular both as a pet and a show bird in the USA but hardly known at all anywhere else, are a cross between a Silkie and a Naked Neck Turken chicken. Fact #3: Silkie chickens have feather that’s a little like fur While their fur-like feathers are different from other chickens, it’s super soft and very fluffy to touch. The Silkie chicken eggs taste like a regular egg, but smaller. Some breeds, especially Silkies, are not able to be sexed by external characteristics. January 4, 2020 June 27, 2019 by Nirmal. Silkie chickens have several unique genetic and behavioral traits that make them stand out from other chicken breeds. (The wattle is the fleshy appendage below the beak at the throat.) 2. 0 Shares 0. There have been paint silkies in Europe for some time. These bizarre-looking chicken breed is believed to have come from Asia. Summary. The Silkie chicken has a distinctive look. Silkie Chicken Characteristics. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance. Silkies are a breed of chicken named for its unusual soft, fluffy silky plumage. Silkie chickens are a bantam breed that is believed to have originated in ancient China. While most roosters in this breed are friendly, there are also those that are territorial and aggressive to strangers. The Silkie chicken is one of the most popular chicken breeds today. In fact, if you didn’t know better, it would appear as if the chicken has fur. For legs and feet, make sure they are a dark blue or black color, and there should be … Silkie chicken is mainly used for ornamental purpose. Their plumage appears like down or fur rather than feathers. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds. The breed standard of perfection for Silkie chickens has the weight of the cock at 36 oz. If you’re going to keep silkies with other chickens, go for Polish chickens or bantams. Its soft, fluffy plumage is like silk to touch. Silkie chicken is a really unique looking and gorgeous bird. This breed is quite different in look. Bantam chickens are smaller than normal-size chickens. Silkie chickens also have beautiful, soft, fluffy feathers which are unlike those of other hard-feathered poultry. Where do Silkies originate from? Silkie Chicken History and Characteristics This breed is believed to have originated in China, although it is not known when. Early Dutch breeders even told buyers that Silkies were the product of a crossbreeding between chickens and rabbits. Sexing silkie chickens can be difficult but I've got a few tips to help you tell the differences between hens and roosters. Today, Silkies are present in North America, Asia, and Europe. I’m a silkie lower, I have been raising them for about four year , and I feel very happy , but there is something that make me very sad , two years ago I found my best buff hen dead in the coop, there was two other hen and a rooster , all silkies , I so that the rooster kill her , because he act so means whith the hens when he wants to mate whith them , I give him away. Silkies are a breed known for being friendly and docile. In fact, while the feathers don’t provide much protection from the cold, they DO make the silkie a great choice for a pet chicken since c hildren adore the fine feathers that resemble the down on chicks. Silkie Breed Standard and Appearance. You have been given the most important things that you need to know about Silkies – including how the breed originated, its appearance, temperament, size and … Size and Weight. I pick him up and "do his hair" everyday (I just move the feathers away from his eyes) and my daughter carries him around like a baby. Silkie Chickens (often spelled Silky) is the chicken breed called for its unusually fluffy plumage that is said to believe like satin or silk. Wattles: The non-bearded Silkies have larger wattles than the bearded ones, and the cock’s wattles are larger than the hen’s. A popular and unique breed, the Silkie is instantly recognisable by its pompom, fifth toe, black skin and profuse fluffy plumage, caused by an absence of barbs on the feathers which prevents them from knitting together. The breed has many unusual qualities like black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. 0. Poor girls.. #2 Silkie roosters start crowing (on average) between 4 and 6 months old.Don't let anyone tell you their crows are meek compared to that of their standard counterpart. Silkie Chicken. Silkie Characteristics 1. Nevertheless, these birds are also called Chinese silk chicken, which more or less settles the debate about its place of origin. Experts are of the opinion that its place of origin could have even been either India or Java. Make sure your Silkies get an early morning feeding of either chicken pellets, grains, chicken mash or grain mix from 8 weeks old and older. Silkie Chickens Information & Breed Characteristics What are Silkie chickens? Many breeders now focus their programs on developing and enhancing the unique characteristics of the Silkie chicken. The name silkie is given for their stunning plumage. It has been compared to silk, and to fur. The crest proper should not show and hardness of feathers. While Silkie chickens are technically categorized as bantams, many people consider Silkies a different class of bird altogether. Silkie is quite different in both physical characteristics as their silkie plumage keeps them apart. Temperament Silkie Rooster Characteristics Silkie chickens are renowned for their ultra-soft plumage and their docile and friendly manner. Chinese uses black meat as medicine, as it has carnitine in double amounts than other chickens. Physical Characteristics of Silkie Chicken: This breed chicken head is crested, looking somewhat like a ‘pom-pom’. There is a written standard for their variety. 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