Some will cross Silkies with other bantams to produce a somewhat more vigorous flock of broodies. They can handle up to twelve eggs and with a small flock kept just for broodies you can selectively breed for larger sized hens. They adapt well to confinement, but they will be happier and healthier if you provide an enclosed chicken run where they can scratch for bugs, seeds and other delicacies. Silkies cannot fly because of their unique feathers. ![]() Do Silkies need a run?Ĭhickens thrive on foraging in the open. Silkie chickens are by far the most broody of the chicken world, often going broody even with no eggs to sit on, a Silkie chicken will sit fast even if a herd of wilder beast are running through her coup! Not much will shift her! This makes her the ideal chicken to hatch fertile eggs with a great success rate. Silkies are also known for their calm, friendly temperament, which makes them exceptionally great pets for homes that have children Are Silkies good sitters? The fact that silkie chickens are unable to fly due to their fluffy plumage makes them the easiest of all chickens to keep as pets because they are that much easier to contain. Silkies don’t mind getting up close and personal with their human friends, in fact, they quite like being cuddled, kissed and groomed, making them eggcellent pets for young children. Are they related to Showgirl chickens? Yes u2013 a showgirl is the result of crossing a Silkie with a Naked Neck. There are eight recognized colors: black, blue, buff, gray, partridge, self-blue, splash and white. The feathers lack the barbicles (tiny hooks) which hold them together, giving the bird a unique appearance. Are Silkies a rare breed?Ī Rare Breed of Chinese Origin The Silkie is probably an ancient breed from China which distinguishes itself from all other poultry breeds by its plumage which is fur-like. In fact, Black Silkies are always present at poultry shows. Today, this breed is among the most popular and most loved because of its unique appearance and admirable temperament. Silkies are most commonly found in a crisp white tone, but for those of us that like our backyard to be dotted with colorful little cotton balls, the possibilities are near endless. They have larger and rounder wattles, and their combs are larger and shaped differently: These fleshy growths on adult male Silkies’ heads feature extensions that are like streamers they appear swept back rather than rounded. It is quite difficult to tell the difference between male and female silkie chicks because they take longer to mature than most other chicken breeds however, once they are mature, males (roosters) and females (hens) do have some distinct differences including: roosters tend to be larger than hens, the comb will be … What do male silkie chickens look like? How can you tell if a silkie chick is male or female? She can even sit on larger eggs but I would only put about 2-3 under 1 hen. When you have noticed your Silkie is broody you can then put fertile eggs under her, up to 10 bantam eggs, 6 normal hen eggs or 5 duck eggs. Silkies are gentle, kind birds who love company and adore being held and fussed over. ![]() ![]() Some breeders describe them simply as darker buff variations, although there are breeders specially working on developing red Silkies in Australia. The color does not exist naturally in Silkies and must be introduced by another breed. Red Silkies are a rare variation and not recognized. Males will also hold their tail more upright, where females will keep it horizontal or slightly dipped toward the ground. How do you tell if a silkie chick is a boy or girl?įemale Silkies will keep their bodies more horizontally positioned, where males will stand more upright, keeping their chests forward and their necks elongated.
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