Silkichin

Chicken Breed Info: Silkichin Breed Purpose: dual Comb: red to rose, upright but small and not apparent in hens at all Broodiness: medium Climate Tolerance: heat and cold	General Egg Info: Egg Productivity: good Egg Size: medium Egg Color: brown
Breed Temperament: very docile	Breed Colors / Varieties: Black, blue, splash, white, lavender, partridge

Breed Details:
The Silkichin originated in NC in early 2000 with crosses between show stock of Giant Cochin and Silkies. The Giant Cochins were good layers, but were often aggressive. The hens would go broody and sit eggs, but they would leave the nest immediately after a few chicks hatched, leaving the remainder to die in the shell. Beyond that, they were exceptional and defensive moms. The silkies, as everyone knows, went broody often, and they hatched chicks well, waiting until everyone hatched, but after hatching, the moms were often inattentive to chicks--not motherly enough. The cross created a very attractive bearded and non-bearded breed with a large topknot and cochin feathering that is as soft as silk. The hens are excellent mothers, hatching all eggs and rearing young well. The roos are very docile; I have never once had one of these roos offer to attack me. In fact, I can pet them--any of them--while I am feeding them and so can my 7 year old son.

The breed has dark skin, round eyes, and five toes like the silkie, but it is larger in size than a bantam. Feathering is much like the cochin but with much feathering on feet and on top of the head and beard, if bearded.

This breed is not yet a part of the APA, but it is into the fourth generation of breeding. A breed standard is currently in production and will be posted on the website of Firestone Creek Farm along with info about the ASC (American Silkichin Club). If you love soft and fuzzy, or if you are tired of roosters that are constantly trying to attack you or your children, this is the breed for you! Anyone willing to promote the breed is welcome. Contact Firestone Creek Farm at http://www.freewebs.com/firestone-creek-farms for info on breeding pairs and hatching eggs.

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