Silkies: The Furry Chickens

Ranked #482 in Pets & Animals, #13,394 overall

Furry Chickens?!

Silkies are a very unusual bred of chicken that have feathers that resemble fur. They almost look like they are some sort of rabbit or other animal. This is one chicken you wouldn't mind cuddling, and luckily for us, most Silkies have such complacent personalities that they wouldn't mind at all. Silkies are sweet, friendly chickens, that make a wonderful pet for just about everyone.

Picture from Eggybird

Description of Silkies


Description of Silkies

Silkie Features


Silkie Features

Silkie Size

Silkies in America are fairly small chickens, about the size of a rabbit. They are all called bantams (miniatures) here, but in other countries that wouldn't be quite true. That's because in other countries they have two sizes of Silkies. One which is really a bantam version, it's a bit smaller than ours, and a standard version, which is a bit bigger than ours. Overall, Silkies are a fairly small, compact breed with short legs and roundish bodies.

Silkie Feathers

Silkies have feathers different from most chickens, this is what gives them that furry look. Normal feathers have certain parts. On either side along the main shaft of a feather run a series of what look like thick hairs, these hairs are called barbs and in most feathers the barbs look neat and straight. If you look really closely you can see that these barbs branch into things called barbules. These barbules are lined with tiny hooks called barbicels that act like Velcro and keep the feather smooth and straight. Did you ever play with a feather when you were little? Pulling the little sections apart, then smoothing the entire thing and marveling at the way it looked whole and perfect once again? The way it clings to itself is due to the barbicels and that smoothness helps the birds fly.

Silkie feathers are different than normal feathers though, they lack the barbicels, that Velcro, that keeps most feathers in that neat, smooth appearance. This allows the feather sections to sort of wisp around and gives the Silkies that messy, furry appearance. The Silkie feathers are more like down, the undercoating of feathers that most poultry have.

Silkie Crest

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

Silkies' Crests

Silkies have a fun little tuff of feathers on the top of their heads. This small clump of feathers will eventually grow out and just barely start curling around their faces. The little mound of feathers on top of the Silkies' heads hide a secret though. Below the feathers, Silkies have something called a vaulted skull. Good show chickens and some pet quality Silkies have skulls that are actually arched up at the top of their heads. This leaves a vulnerable spot on top of their heads though. A good, strong peck on the top of a Silkie's head by another chicken can actually cause neurological damage or even kill them.

Beautifully Crested Silkie

Picture via Creative Commons from emuphoto

Silkie Eyesight

Silkies often have difficult seeing. Their puffy feathery crest and other facial feathers will occasionally completely obscure their eyes. Silkie breeders handle this one of two ways. They trim or pluck the feathers away from the Silkie's faces if the Silkie do not need to be in top shape for a show. Or the other thing they may do is pin the crest back using a hair tie. Done gently, this does not harm the feathers but still allows the chickens to see.

Old Man Silkie

Silkies come in two varieties, bearded and non-bearded. This is exactly as it sounds, some Silkies have a group of feathers on their chins which resemble beards, other Silkies do not have this group of feathers. This is just the personal preference of which the breeder decides to raise, since some people like the added fluffiness the beards add to the Silkies' faces and others do not.

Silkies Have Black Skin

Silkies are unusual in another way. Unlike most backyard chickens that have yellow skin, or even those chickens that have darker skin, Silkies have black skin. Their skin is very dark and this makes them a popular delicacy in some Asian countries. It also makes them wonderfully colored. If their feathers are black, the black skin underneath makes the feathers look blacker. If the Silkie is white, the black skin underneath makes the white deeper and makes the feathers look even whiter. All of the colors look even better with the black skin.

Silkies also have dark, purplish black combs and wattles, a shade called mulberry. This can make it difficult to see them against the skin, but I think it makes the Silkies even cuter.

A Silkie's Feathered Feet

Picture by AlishaV

Silkies Have Feathered Feet

Silkies even have feathers growing from their feet. Though this adds to the overall cuteness of the Silkies' being covered in fur, it can be a problem if they regularly go in muddy areas or have a non-wire cage bottom. They will clean these feathers as they do all their feathers, but show birds need to have their foot feathers kept clean and out of the muck. It's best to keep Silkies in a somewhat clean area and for them to be given a perch to sleep on at night so their feathers stay a bit cleaner even if they aren't going to be shown.

A Silkie's Five Toes

Picture by AlishaV

Silkies Have Five Toes

Unlike most chickens which have four, Silkies have five toes on each foot. This Silkie has proper toes, but the genes for toes is very confused and some Silkies will be born with less toes, or, as is often the case, fused or partial toes. For a pet, this doesn't mean much, but Silkie breeders have to work hard to make sure their Silkies have the right number of toes to prevent disqualifications if they will be going to chicken shows. Most hatchery breed Silkies are lower-quality and the majority have improper toes.

Silkie Rooster Crowing

This little chicken really has a big crow, though luckily, Silkie crows are not nearly as ear-piercing and sharp as most bantam crowing.
My Morning Duty - Crowing
by BonnERooster | video info

9 ratings | 5,082 views
curated content from YouTube

Silkie Flight

Silkie Flight

Well, Silkies aren't well known for their flying. At best, it's usually more of a controlled fall, though some Silkies don't even do that well. It's always best to place Silkie perches low so they can get up and down without straining themselves. Also, never just drop a Silkie onto the ground, that may get them hurt. It's better to set them down gently. All Silkies are capable of flying, but it takes quite a bit of energy and most don't bother.

Silkie Personalities


Silkie Personalities

Silkies Are Sweet

Silkies have some of the best personalities out of all chickens. Extremely laid-back and easy-going, Silkies make great pets, even for those unused to chickens. This has caused Silkies to be one of the most common chickens for 4-H kids and at petting zoos. Silkies, if used to being handled, will let you do just about anything with them. Some people even leash-train them and I've taught them to ride in the car and get carried around. Though they may not be the most intelligent of the chicken breeds, Silkies make up for it by being the most gentle and sweet.

Silkie Hen

Picture via Creative Commons from Danny Doxtator

Silkies Are Very Broody

Silkie hens are often wonderful mothers, loving to sit on eggs, even ones that aren't fertile or that are fake (this is called broodiness or being broody). This can be a problem if you learn to expect a lot of eggs from your Silkie since she will stop laying when she is being broody. There are various ways to break this broodiness, one being to place the hen in a wire-bottomed cage away from the flock for several days, but often it is better to just let her be broody and give her some eggs to hatch. The eggs can be from her, other chickens, or even other poultry. Those fluffy bottoms make great egg-sitters and in a little less than a month, you'll have cute little chicks with a beaming mama leading them around and showing them the world.

Liza the Chicken Part 1

Liza's story starts at about 3:50 and continues in Liza the Chicken Part 2 below. A special chicken, Liza exhibits that amazing Silkie personality and broodiness.

For more information on the story that the video starts off with, that of Mike the Headless Chicken, check out my lens about him at: Mike Lived Without a Head
The Natural History of the Chicken part 5/6
by Ghostmonsters | video info

28 ratings | 17,937 views
curated content from YouTube

Liza the Chicken Part 2

The Natural History of the Chicken part 6/6
by Ghostmonsters | video info

72 ratings | 15,302 views
curated content from YouTube

Love White Silkies?

Show off how much you love the little cottonballs with a button or throw pillow, or even a tile coaster.
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Silkie History


Silkie History

Silkie Origins

Though Silkie origins are a bit shrouded by time, we know Silkies originated somewhere in China or Asia a very long time ago. They may look like a new-fangled, fad breed, but Silkies are one of the few ancient chicken breeds we still have around today. It is believed that Marco Polo spoke of the Silkie when he wrote about fur-covered chickens on his travels to the far east, back in the 13th century. Those fur-covered chickens were not a rarity or novel thing then, so they had most likely been around long before then in those areas. Silkies truly are an heirloom chicken breed.

Silkie Dinosaurs?

Paleontologists recently discovered something interesting about some of the later dinosaurs, perhaps even T-Rex, they had feathers! There's long been speculation about how and why feathers developed and scientists believe now, feathers may not have originally been for flight like many supposed, in fact they may have been to keep warm. Anyone who has ever had a down jacket knows how warm it keeps you, well this would have been a great way for the dinosaur young to stay warm as well. Those early feathers would have looked a great deal similar to a Silkie's feathers. Silkies are very similar in some ways to dinosaurs, even more so than other chickens.

Archeopteryx, like the one pictured to the right, were one of the earliest animals that had both reptile-like features and bird-like features. In fact, there has long been debate over which category it belongs in. Most people consider it our very first bird. Notice the imprint of its feathers on the fossil, these feathers were similar to modern bird feathers, unlike the Silkie's barb-less feathers. Silkies are a throwback.

Silkies As Pets


Silkies As Pets

Silkies Make Wonderful Pets

Silkies make absolutely wonderful pets for most people. Their easy-going and mild personalities, plus hardiness and pretty appearances all add up to a wonderful bird. Also, since Silkies are bantams, they're small enough to easily house. In fact, mine lives in a rabbit cage in my house. They are perhaps the easiest of chicken breeds to deal with and while they're large enough to not be easily lost like hamsters and gerbils, they're also small enough for kids to feel comfortable with them, unlike many of the large breeds of chickens.

Silkies, Molting, and Dust

Silkies, like all chickens produce a lot of dust. Though they will produce dust all year long, there are certain times they produce more dust than others. Since most chicken dust comes from the chickens getting new feathers (the shafts protecting the feathers as they grow out flake off) chickens produce more dust whenever they're growing in lots of feathers. Chickens are always adding new feathers as old ones fall out or get damaged, but there's two main times of year that they lose then produce more feathers over most of their bodies. Springtime often has an outbreak of feather growth, but the main time of molting (losing feathers and replacing them) is in the fall. In the fall, chickens usually replace most if not all of their feathers and thus produce lots of feather shafts which in turn flake off and produce lots of dust. Young Silkies also go through periods of molting as they grow and gain their adult feathers.

Rabbits or Chickens?

Picture by AlishaV

Though occasionally it can be a bit difficult telling them apart ;-) bunnies and Silkies are great together. These little Silkies, another bantam, and their rabbit pals are enjoying the nice spring weather with a short visit outside to play in the sunshine. If keeping Silkies and bunnies together, care must be taken to prevent the bunnies from having to hop through the chicken poo, a wire base on the cage usually helps, and care also needs to be taken to ensure that everyone will get along. Pregnant bunnies or brooding hens can be aggressive, and both will become territorial when raising young.

Silkie Hen Roaming Around the Yard

Frances Silkie Chicken Takes a Break
by BonnERooster | video info

97 ratings | 66,252 views
curated content from YouTube

Playing Outside

Picture by AlishaV

Silkies In the Sunshine

Silkies enjoy a bit of time in the sunshine. Silkies like all chickens need some time outdoors where they can soak up the sun and eat bugs and grass. Though their little bodies are fairly resistant to the cold, Silkies are sensitive to high temperatures, so care needs to be taken to ensure they enough cool water to drink and that they can retreat to shade if need be. Also in extreme heat, about 100 degrees or above, Silkies, like most chickens, need extra cooling. This is usually in the form of a mister and fan, though some people even provide air conditioning in the chicken house. Chickens pant to cool off, they don't sweat, so they can't always cool themselves enough.

What's Your Opinion?

What do you think of Silkies?

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I want one or have one :)

The_Micro_Farm_Project says:

I love them! I have 20 chickens, but no silkies. I think it may be too hot where I live for them. But I would like to have them, if I could.

Robin Bone says:

They have the sweetest dispositions, I have 8 and love them all.

Steph_Tietjen says:

I want a couple of 'em. I never thought of keeping them indoors. Thanks

nancycarol says:

Gosh sakes, they're adorable and so unique! A fun lens and I'm sending it in for my entry for Poultry Day....they're too cute to eat!

Jillynn says:

I don't really want one but they are darn cute!

Captain Awesome says:

Sexy......

SmartyGirlRenee says:

so cute

Darlene says:

They're so cute! Who would say they're ugly?

nickirc says:

How cute!

RenaissanceWoman2010 says:

Amazing!

buying chickens says:

They are really unusuall! I would like to see them! I'm also considering buying chickens

Silencespeaks says:

good...pics are sweet

gail says:

I think they're lovely - and am anxious to test the medicinal value of their meat, eggs and bones. I have 1 now, and 50 due in the mail tomorrow!

COUNTRYLUTHIER says:

I gotta have this chicken for the farm when the Mrs and I do the final settle down and live off the fat of the land. These look like great barnyard fowl to own. Hands down a great poultry lens. Thanks for sharing and adding another animal to our small menagerie list for the future.

zoey says:

i love them i have 2 of my own i just love them: )

Melanie says:

I got 9 chicks, 4 of which were silkies. As they started to mature, they started crowing. Every time I rehomed one crowing rooster, another would start. I found 3 new homes, then three more started crowing the next day. Then I got rid of the latest 3 which were my silkies and low and behold the next day my last silkie began to crow as well. My luck just did not turn out too well. They were so pretty and cute to watch. But 7 out of my 9 chickens were crowing little roos. :(

rennea burgess says:

I LOVE SILKIES!!!! I ALWAYS HAVE, AND ALWAYS WILL!!! RENNEA BURGESS neddybear09@gmail.com.

RoriStix says:

Mine hatched and shipped today, should be here by tomorrow or the next day, and I can hardly wait! I'm getting 4- 1 white and 3 blue (although that means I could get blue, black, splash, or any combo).

David Sapp says:

I love my Silkies! www.showmesilkies.com

jimmyschickencoops says:

My 4 year old says she has to have one ...a white one and a black one but the only problem is she thinks they are a puppy. : )

They're ugly :(

 
view all 33 comments

Antique Chicken Print

Ornithology Hen Silky Cock 1807 Bantam Rumpless Chicken

Amazon Price: (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

A wonderful old print from 1807, featuring numerous breeds of chickens including a Silkie.

Silkies From Egg to Furball


Silkies From Egg to Furball

Eggs From Silkies

Picture via Creative Commons from becstarr

Silkies lay eggs that are slightly tinted with brown and that are on the small side since Silkies are bantams, but the eggs taste just as good. Due to Silkies' tendency to go broody and want to hatch eggs, there may be interruptions in egg-laying, so if the only reason you want to get a Silkie is just for eggs, it may be better to get an egg-production breed such as a White Leghorn.

Just Hatched Silkie Chicks

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

These Silkie chicks just hatched and are drying off in the incubator. Silkies take 21 days to hatch after an egg has started to be incubated, though there are reports of some taking a few extra days due to uneven incubator temperatures. The chicks hatch out of their eggs slowly, pecking at the eggshell from inside using a small attachment on their beak called an egg-tooth that falls off a few days later. It is important not to help them at this point since doing so can cause them to bleed to death. Hatching is a very long process, often taking an entire day for the little one to peck a crack and then break out of the shell.

5 Day Old Silkie Chicks

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

When the chicks are finally out of their shells they are then left in the incubator until dry and fluffy to avoid them getting chilled as they are moved to a warm box where they have chick feed, water, and a heat lamp to keep them warm.

3 Week Old Silkie Chicks

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

The Silkie chicks live in the new box for about 6 weeks until they have lots of feathers and can handle cooler temperatures.

Half-Grown Silkie

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

The chicks are usually then moved to their new home in the coop, though depending on the outside temperature this may be delayed until spring. In the coop, the Silkie chicks grow and grow, reaching adult size at about 3-4 months. Along the way they get tons of new feathers and will shed their old ones as well as leave tons of bird dander (dust from the sheaths around the new feathers) all over.

Adult Silkie

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

You can't usually tell whether Silkies are male or female until they start laying eggs or crowing at about 6-7 months. And then the entire egg-to chicken cycle may start over again. Or not ;-)

Silkie Egg Frying

Picture via Creative Commons from raindog

Caring for Silkies


Caring for Silkies

Taking Care of Silkies

Silkies need very little care beyond what all chickens need. A safe, spacious place to live; chicken feed; clean, fresh water; dirt to scratch around in; and a safe enclosure to protect them from predators.

It is nice to pin back or trim the Silkies' crests so they can see better, but that's about the only thing different from regular chicken care. They are actually surprisingly hardy considering how fancy and delicate they look.

Silkie Apparel

Show off your Silkie pride or just your love of their beauty with a t-shirt or hat featuring those Silkie's fluffy butts. Many of the designs are available on different items and in different sizes, click on the picture to see more with that same design or just to see the images close up.
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A Sweet Silkie Hen

Picture via Creative Commons from sandyseek

Silkie Living Quarters

Silkies need about 10 square feet each in their run area and about 4 square feet inside their coop. More space leads to less problems, as cramped birds will pick on each other.

Rabbit hutches make adequate enclosures for a couple of birds, though it is a good idea to build an attached run onto them as well as making sure the bottom of the cage is not completely wire as that can irritate the birds' feet after a while. I even added a perch and a door to a dog house and placed that inside a chain link dog kennel for a quick and easy chicken coop. Just remember to consider predators whatever you do. There are far more predators around your house than you think.

Another idea that works well is to just have the Silkies as house pets. Silkies are the perfect chicken to have as a house pet and it is much easier to really bond with them when you live together. They are truly surprising sometimes. For more information about having chickens as house pets check out: House Chickens

Otherwise, if you already have chickens or are planning to get a flock, Silkies can simply live in the coop with everyone else. They do just fine.

Dust Bathing Silkie

Silkies, like all chickens need to get regular dust baths to keep their feathers nice and mite-free. They'll make their own spot if allowed near the dirt, or if kept caged, it's a good idea to create a mini dirt puddle in an old box with some sand or dirt. Just be prepared, it's a messy business.
Silkie chicken having a dust bath
by Unpavemypath | video info

26 ratings | 15,434 views
curated content from YouTube

Silkie Sleeping With Cat

Picture from Me, AlishaV

Silkies and Other Animals

Silkies, due to the fluffiness of their crest can have a difficult time in the world. With a limit range of vision, it's very easy for them to roam too close to predators and be surprised by an attack. Since the most common predator that attacks chickens is our own pets, care needs to be taken to protect Silkies even more than other chickens.

Silkies' mellow personalities and odd looks work in their favor though. Since they act so unafraid of other animals, they may not get attacked. Their non-prey like behavior doesn't make many other animals view them as prey, thus not being sure enough to attack. Silkies can also get along well with other animals used to chickens, often becoming fast friends.

Silkie and Dog

Picture by AlishaV

Always be cautious when your Silkie might be exposed to other animals. In moments, this seemingly friendly puppy could be over that fence and "playing" with this Silkie. Don't loose a bird or get mad at your beloved dog, always keep everyone safe and never allow them together unsupervised. Even nice dogs want to play with chickens, and one playful bite can kill that bird in an instant. Remember, it's your job to protect them.

Raising Chickens

Want to know more about raising chickens? Check out some of these great books for more information.
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Various Chicks Free Ranging

Picture by AlishaV

Silkies with Other Chicken Breeds

There's a lot of debate over whether to have Silkies with other chickens. Silkies, with their mild personalities, passive attitudes, and impeded vision, are extremely vulnerable to bullying from the other chickens. That being said, I really think whether or not to have Silkies with other chicken breeds depends on a lot of variables. Things like how aggressive the other breeds are, the birds' individual personalities, and how much room the birds will have, all influence whether or not it will be a good situation. Most breeds do fine with Silkies if given enough room to avoid each other if need be. Also, raising the other breeds with the Silkies will definitely help. The little ones in this picture have all been raised together and are the best of friends. I have never had any problems with Silkies and other breeds getting along, and have had a great many breeds with them, but if you're worried, having adult or half-grown Silkies and then introducing young chicks of the other breeds is the way to go, though you may have to protect the chicks from the Silkies for a while until they're accepted as part of the flock.

Silkie Shirts

Show off your Silkie pride or just your love of their beauty with a t-shirt or hat featuring those Silkie's fluffy butts. Many of the designs are available on different items and in different sizes, click on the picture to see more with that same design or just to see the images close up.
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Silkie Breeding


Silkie Breeding

A Wonderful Silkie Breeder Collecting Eggs for the Day

One of the biggest names in Silkie breeding, Hattrick raises Silkies that are extra fluffy and of great quality.
HatTrick Silkies Mass Collecting Eggs 5/20/08 Part1
by hattricksilkies | video info

8 ratings | 3,113 views
curated content from YouTube

Get Some Silkie Eggs

Order some Silkie eggs and raise your own Silkies
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Patterned Silkies

Picture via Creative Commons from avlxyz

Silkies come in several feather patterns besides the regular solid colors. There are cuckoos, partridge, and splash, as well as some other feather patterns.

Chicken Print

1902 Lewis Wright Poultry Frizzled Fowls Silkies Sultan

Amazon Price: $35.30 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

A beautiful 1902 Lewis Wright image, showing three chicken breeds, Silkies, Sultans, and Frizzles.

Silkie Chicken Love

Picture via Creative Commons from Snapper

Showgirl Chickens

Showgirls are a new breed of chicken being developed. They are a cross between Naked Necks, also known as Turkens (keep an eye out, I'm making a lens about Turkens soon :-) and Silkies. The ultimate goal is to develop a chicken with a completely naked neck and Silkie feathering. This breed is still in it's early stages and the chickens in the video are some of the best I've ever seen. They don't always breed true, that is, while the parents may look perfect, the young hatched from them do not always have the same qualities. Though called Showgirls, the chickens are male and female, but all are supposed to have that Vegas showgirl look. since Turkens and Silkies both have wonderful personalities, Showgirls are often very sweet and friendly, as well as being absolutely adorable.
Showgirl Silkie Bantam Chickens
by jburns4sons | video info

47 ratings | 34,743 views
curated content from YouTube

Extraordinary Chickens

Silkies aren't the only chickens that are fascinating to look at. There's many breeds that you may never have heard of, but are extraordinary looking. A couple of my favorite books are the Extraordinary Chickens and the Extra Extraordinary Chickens, both beautiful books from the same person featuring the cute, fun, and odd of the chicken world. There's also calendars from this amazing body of work. They make great coffee table books or are just wonderful to look through and find the beauty in the unusual.
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Silkie Groups and Shows


Silkie Groups and Shows

Learning More About Silkies

This lens just touches the tiniest of information about Silkies, for more about raising them, breeding them, or showing them, check out a Silkie chicken group. Silkies are very popular and there are numerous groups devoted solely to them, as well as some that are about bantam chickens or all chickens. Joining a group will let you know exactly what to expect from other Silkie owners and give you a place to talk about these wonderful little birds. Some groups are solely online, others by mail, and a few are groups that regularly meet.

US Silkie Groups

The American Silkie Bantam Club
The original Silkie Club in the US, the ASBC, is a large group devoted to raising and breeding Silkies. Show breeders and pet breeders both find a place in this organization. You will find a link to an application for Club membership and some other useful information.

American Silkie Bantam Discussion Group
Email with dozens of Silkie breeders from around the world on this free email list. Learn a lot about Silkies and feel free to ask questions. Most breeders are located in the USA. However, the list includes members from Europe and Australia and a few other places. Participation in the discussion group is free to any Silkie fancier registered with the discussion group, not just American Silkie Bantam Club members. Silkie fanciers of all degrees of knowledge and expertise are welcome. The list includes a large number of show breeders as well as many breeders who love their Silkies as pampered pets only.

National Silkie Breeders Association

Silkie Exhibitors and Breeders of America, Inc.
A Silkie club exclusively dedicated to encouraging the breeding and exhibiting of show quality Silkies.



UK Silkie Groups

The Silkie Club of Great Britain
U.K. Silkie club web page with some very nice photos.



European Silkie Groups

Specialklubben for Silkehøns
The Danish Silkie Club home page has some nice photos.

The Dutch Silky Fowl Club
The Seidenhühnerclub in Holland is even in English. Has some nice photos and a copy of the Dutch Standard for Silkies.

The Swiss Silkie and Poland Breeders Club
(Schweizerischer Siedenhuhn- und Haubenh%u0178hner-Z%u0178chterclub) - Contact information for the Swiss Club and a few photos. Nice logo!

The Silkie and Poland Club of Germany
(Sonderverein der Züchter der Seidenhühner und Zwerghaubenhühner) - Good photos, breeders list, contact information and lovely sketches. . . Be sure to check out the web site of the Club secretary, Friedel Schwager, which is listed farther down the page under "Great Silkie Sites from Around the World"



Australian Silkie Groups

Silkie Club of Australia, Inc.
No official web page. However, the link is to an "unofficial" page with some useful information about Silkie Breeders in Australia and the Silkie Club of Australia
c/o Secretary, Sue Scott
6 Colville Rd
Yellow Rock
Australia 2777
silkieclub@optusnet.com.au Contact Information

The Silkie Club of New Zealand
This page includes the Silkie standards for New Zealand from the New Zealand Poultry Standards. The page includes a list of New Zealand Silkie breeders.



General Silkie Groups

SilkieBreeders Yahoo Group
Silkie Breeders and Exhibitors - This list is for serious Silkie breeders and people interested in the exhibition of Silkies.

The Silkie Bantam Standard Forum for Silkie Breeders and Exhibitors
This is devoted to systematically analyzing the Silkie Bantam Standard in the USA with an eventual goal of submitting suggestions to the ABA and APA to assist poultry judges in evaluating Silkie Bantams. This group is for serious and experienced show breeders of Silkie Bantams. Interested observers (aka lurkers) are very welcome but questions relating to showing, breeding, genetics and general Silkie care should be directed to one of the other groups.

The Awesome Silkie Bantam Chat
Large friendly list with an extensive archive, this group is a good source of information for beginners to the Silkie breed.



Bantam and Standard Chicken Groups

American Bantam Association

Poultry Show

The Standard of Perfection

The American Standard of Perfection 2001 (American Poultry Association.//American Standard of Perfection, 2001)

Amazon Price: $189.97 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Getting into chicken showing or just want to know whether your chickens meet the standard of perfection? Get the official and find out.

I Heart My Silkie Bumper Sticker

Do you love your Silkie? Show everyone your Silkie pride with this bumper sticker proclaiming your Silkie love. Remember, bumper stickers aren't just great on your car, they're wonderful on kid's notebooks, stuck on your tote bag, and on your Silkie's pen. I'm sure you can think of lots of other places to show off your Silkie pride.

Silkie Bumper Sticker

I love my Silkie bumper sticker

Price: $4.49 Buy Now

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Fun Silkie Clothes

Show off your Silkie pride or just your love of their beauty with a t-shirt or hat featuring those Silkie's fluffy butts. Many of the designs are available on different items and in different sizes, click on the picture to see more with that same design or just to see the images close up.
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Eating Silkies


Eating Silkies

Silkies Are Considered a Delicacy

Silkies are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world. They have black skin, flesh, and even bones, and many visitors to China have probably seen them displayed for sale in the meat booths. Chinese medicine considers the flesh of Silkies to be powerful medicine, helping diabetes, immunity, and numerous diseases.

Picture via Creative Commons from Sugar Pond

Silkie Bantam Chicken Soup with Ginseng

Picture via Creative Commons from avlxyz

I'm not going to go into using Silkies as meat too much on this lens, but if you want to know more check out one of these sites:

Health Benefits of Eating Silkies

A Simple Explanation of the Health Benefits of Silkies
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/280962/what_is_a_black_chicken_the_new_superfood.html

A traditional and thorough description of the Taihe Black-Bone Chicken or Silkie
http://www.e2121.com/food_db/viewherb.php3?viewid=218

EmaxHealth Short Blurb About Silkie Meat
http://www.emaxhealth.com/74/12982.html

Science Daily article about the possible health benefits of eating Silkie meat, and perhaps the reason they have been important for centuries in Chinese medicine.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060914153621.htm

The Mystical Taihe Black-Boned Chicken
http://silkiefowl.9.forumer.com/a/the-mystical-taihe-blackboned-chicken_post7.html

Another Chinese Medicine Page on Taihe or Silkie Chickens
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/wuchi.htm



Silkie Recipes

Recipe for Braised Silkie Chicken with Shallot and Onion
http://www.helium.com/items/944193-recipes-braised-silkie-chicken-with-shallot-and-onion

Recipe for Sesame-Ginger-Soy-Braised Silkie
http://www.eatingclubvancouver.com/2008/10/mamas-silkie-chicken-dyong-kwe.html

Recipe for Black Chicken Soup
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2002/08/28/features/story1.html

Recipe for a Chinese Medicine Meal
http://dailybreadjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/black-chicken-chinese-medicine-meal.html



Getting Silkies to Eat

Buy Silkie meat from the Exotic Meat Market
http://1-800-exoticmeats.com/silkiechicken.html

Bella Bella Gourmet Foods page selling Silkie meat
http://www.shop.bellabellagourmet.com/product.sc?productId=12

Squab Producers of California
http://www.squab.com/product/poultry.htm

Blogs Mentioning Silkies

Lafayette residents hope to save chickens
City of Lafayette code enforcement officer Mark Robbins says tenants of the Acalanes Apartments on Risa Road need to find another home within the next two weeks for the dozen Buff Orpingtons, Ameraucanas, Silkies and other breeds living in a coop ...
Residents Proud to Be Urban Farmers
Samuel Rollins, 7, holds one of the chickens his family keeps in a coop in the back yard of their Lakeland home. By Eric Pera Hens lay an average 200-240 eggs per year, and do not require a rooster. For housing, plan on giving each bird a minimum of ...
Spartan Chronicles: What chickens for what?
GOOD SITTERS: Some good sitting chickens are Bovans Nera, bovans, and white star chickens. Along with silkies and bantims (breed to sit).They are good chickens because they lay lots of eggs and then sit on them for a long time.

House Chickens

Though I don't have a lot of land anymore, I do have a Silkie. Her name is Sweet Tweets and she lives in the house where she hangs out with me and the cats. Want to know more about having chickens as house pets? Check out my lens on the subject.
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My Pet Chicken: Sweet Tweets

This lens is just about my little feathery fur ball, Sweet Tweets
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Cochin Chickens

Another interesting chicken breed, Cochins are lots of fun. I think they may just be my favorite breed of all. They're super cute, super friendly, and just great to have in the flock or in the house. For more information on them, check out my Cochin Chicken lens.
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More Chicken Info

My Chicken Lensograhy

To learn more about chickens, check out my chicken lensography
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Silkie Chicken Clocks

Get reminded of the cuteness and fun of Silkies every time you glance at the clock. The hardest part though, is trying to figure out which of the five Silkie clocks that you want :-)

Partridge Silkies Wall Clock

Cute rooster and his hen are both Silkies with the partridge feather pattern. A little different from the others but still special.

Price: $17.99 Buy Now

Assorted Silkies Wall Clock

This clock shows off the ultimate fluffiness of Silkies.

Price: $17.99 Buy Now

Chicken butts Wall Clock

You may have never thought butts were adorable, but these little chick butts will prove you wrong.

Price: $18.99 Buy Now

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Reader Feedback

What did you think of this lens? Do you like Silkies? Want some? Have some? Let me know you stopped by by leaving a comment.

  • lollyj Mar 19, 2012 @ 7:01 pm | delete
    Loved the lens and learning about Silkies.
    Beautiful breed.
  • nancycarol Mar 19, 2012 @ 6:32 pm | delete
    I love this lens. These little Silkies are just adorable, and you cover the subject very well. Blessed.
  • Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm Mar 19, 2012 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    Terrific lens. My friend used to have three silkies and I always thought they were adorable. I especially liked their black/blue skin. You created a great and informational lens, keep it up!

    Li Li
  • Jillynn Mar 19, 2012 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    Very thorough lens. Happy Chicken Day and well done!
  • JEMArtistry Mar 19, 2012 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    Great lens! Silkies are adorable. When I was a kid, we raised chickens. My favorite then was PJ. He was a pajama rooster, very cute. I'm not sure if they is the correct name but that's what we called him because he had a bif tuft of feathers on his head and his legs. :)
  • desertdarlene Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:45 am | delete
    I love Silkies and Polish chickens, too. I think we can't keep bantams in our city, though, only standard size or bigger.
  • RenaissanceWoman2010 Dec 30, 2011 @ 4:05 pm | delete
    I never knew about silkies until just now. They are gorgeous! Thank you for teaching me about this variety of chicken. Appreciated!
  • queen2010 Dec 4, 2011 @ 1:46 pm | delete
    nice lens, I like it, please see my lens and comment if its okay, 'smile'
  • stellargamebirds Nov 27, 2011 @ 11:51 pm | delete
    Silkies are the best! I breed them on the ranch and they are described as fluffy poodles. Just silly birds!
  • Magicality Nov 23, 2011 @ 9:07 am | delete
    I'm getting 3 red silkies this evening ... i'm excited ;-)
  • MustangHistory Sep 24, 2011 @ 2:04 am | delete
    These look sweet.
  • modernstead Feb 20, 2011 @ 2:39 pm | delete
    sooooooo cute! Well done.
  • EmmaCooper Oct 15, 2010 @ 10:50 am | delete
    Lovely lens!
  • Magicality Oct 4, 2010 @ 4:02 am | delete
    These look like fun!
  • caninefashion1226 Aug 27, 2010 @ 1:36 am | delete
    They are sooooo adorable!!! I didn't know that these adorable little chickens are called silkies. Great lens! Thanks for sharing a lot of great info about them, keep it up. :)
  • MiaBellezza Jan 21, 2010 @ 1:09 pm | delete
    Wonderful looking Chickens. I think I want a Silkie now! Ah, just have to get a little acreage first though.
  • kkb Dec 7, 2009 @ 4:54 pm | delete
    I'm doing a project for art...I have to design a chicken coop for an off-the-grid backyard...and I really really like this kind of chicken (especially after reading your lens) but I'm not sure how they'd be useful for anything other than showing (I'd rather not kill them since they are soooo cute and plus...I'm a vegetarian...even though it's just an art project involving no real chickens.) so I was wondering if you had any suggestions...or maybe you know of another kind of chicken that would be more useful? you can email me at sledforbed@aol.com thanks :)
  • backyardchickencoops Nov 6, 2009 @ 12:58 am | delete
    Sweet Tweets nice, I have to say I have seen pictures of these types of chickens before, but I never knew the name of the breed. I really like the way these chickens look, I guess this breed of chicken makes for a great house pet. You have some great recipes here, information on building a Chicken Coop.
  • GrowWear Aug 29, 2009 @ 6:13 am | delete
    Nice resource on Silkies. They are beautiful.

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AlishaV

Hi, I'm AlishaV! I love all sorts of animals, especially chickens. And Japanese Silkies are one of my favorite chicken breeds.

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