Chicken Breed Focus - Silkie

[ctpat3]

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This is “Ava”. I’m not sure if she’s a pullet or cockerel? What are your thoughts? She’s definitely the sweetest, most mild mannered one. She’s about 9/10 weeks

Has a fairly decent sized comb and standing upright in the second pic so my guess would be roo

 

[Lilokieescorter]

View attachment 2225577
This is “Ava”. I’m not sure if she’s a pullet or cockerel? What are your thoughts? She’s definitely the sweetest, most mild mannered one. She’s about 9/10 weeks

Looks like a little Cockerel, my little Amber is now Abner

 

[ChickenLou618]

so she is for sure a he??? Either way, we love him

 

[Hinotori]

View attachment 2225756View attachment 2225759
so she is for sure a he??? Either way, we love him

Looks like a boy to me

 

[Hinotori]

 

[lps1215]

Hello! Since there are some experienced silkie owners on here- I was wondering if you knew if these are pullets or roos? They are 12 weeks old, & they are a little dirtier than usual due to the rain, please excuse them! Thanks!

 

[Lilokieescorter]

Hello! Since there are some experienced silkie owners on here- I was wondering if you knew if these are pullets or roos? They are 12 weeks old, & they are a little dirtier than usual due to the rain, please excuse them! Thanks!

These Beauties all look to be girls, here's my girls . Your babies are beautiful

 

[lps1215]

These Beauties all look to be girls, here's my girls . Your babies are beautiful
View attachment 2226291View attachment 2226292View attachment 2226293

Soooooo cute

 

[Barbara l sandoval]

The Silkie breed was developed in the southeast Asian countries or China. It's named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most other chickens only have four. They are often exhibited in poultry shows and come in various colors. It was valued as a medicinal food item in Asia, because of its black skin and bones, and was thought to be particularly good to reinforce body immunity and protect from emaciation and feebleness. It also is reported to treat diabetes, anemia, female reproductive functioning and postpartum disorders. Marco Polo gave the first accounts of Silkie chickens in the late 13th century. As trade route between East and West were established, the Silkie was brought to Europe. Records have shown that in the Netherlands, they were sold as the product of crossing a rabbit and a chicken!

Nowadays the breed is very popular for the purpose of pet chickens as well as exhibition. They are not good layers, averaging 3 eggs per week, but are known and valued for their exceptional broodiness and are often used for hatching eggs from other breeds. They are also considered very good pet chickens, especially for children and are known for their friendliness and docile temperaments.

The breed was officially recognized in North America by acceptance into the Standard of Perfection in the first year of publication which was 1874.

Details:

Detail Value
Breed Purpose Ornamental
Comb Walnut
Broodiness Frequent
Climate Tolerance All Climates
Egg Productivity Medium
Egg Size Small
Egg Color Light Brown
Breed Temperament Friendly,Easily handled,Calm,Bears confinement well,Quiet,Docile
Breed Colors/Varieties Grey, Blue, Splash, Partridge, Buff, Black, White are the standard colors with many off standard & derivative colors in existance today.


Pic by @RooptyDoo


Pic by @RooptyDoo


Pic by @Brody's Broodello


Pic by @Sustained


Pic by @CrazyChookLady5

BYC Breed reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/silkie

Breed Discussion Threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297632/silkie-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/579215/silkie-sexing/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/690632/silkie-breeding-genetics-showing/0_30


Do you own Silkies? Are you a Silkie breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[Barbara l sandoval]

I love silkies and they love me. My husband tells me when they hear the garage opens up when I come in from work they all fly .run. And talk to the patio where they know I will be coming to see them . They coo and jump in my lap.. they Alway make me feel so much better and they make me laugh... I love my babbies