Convince me i need silkies

[MysteryChicken]

Silkies are very hardy, & broody.
Generally I recommend the Large Fowl over bantam. They can sit on more eggs. They're very smart, but males, & females can be feisty. They weigh 4+lbs for males, & 3+lbs for females.

Avoid Show Quality Silkie Bantams, good sitters, but not exactly the smartest. Bred to be so docile that some intelligence is lost. Avoid Vaulted Skulled Silkies, they're usually found in this group. These guys are more fragile/more susceptible to head injuries.
Bantam weights: About 2¼lbs - Males, & 2lbs females.


Silkies don't really need any extra care. Whether a Silkie, or not, occasionally a chicken will need help with their toenails, especially when they're not out scratching enough to wear them down theirselves.
If their crest is blocking their vision, they'll need a trim in front of their eyes(Same with other crested breeds).

 

[fluffycrow]

Silkies are very hardy, & broody.
Generally I recommend the Large Fowl over bantam. They can sit on more eggs. They're very smart, but males, & females can be feisty. They weigh 4+lbs for males, & 3+lbs for females.

Avoid Show Quality Silkie Bantams, good sitters, but not exactly the smartest. Bred to be so docile that some intelligence is lost. Avoid Vaulted Skulled Silkies, they're usually found in this group. These guys are more fragile/more susceptible to head injuries.
Bantam weights: About 2¼lbs - Males, & 2lbs females.


Silkies don't really need any extra care. Whether a Silkie, or not, occasionally a chicken will need help with their toenails, especially when they're not out scratching enough to wear them down theirselves.
If their crest is blocking their vision, they'll need a trim in front of their eyes(Same with other crested breeds).

Good to hear that they are hardy! Very encouraging to hear that they are feisty, because that's what they'll have to come up against with my chickens, so a bird that doesn't necessarily attack for no reason, and is generally sweet, but when provoked reacts is exactly what I need. One of the main reasons I looked at the breed was their broodyness, something my current chickens for the most part lack, so I would like to add that back to my flock on a more consistent level. Do you find silkie roosters to be more respectful and caring towards their hens? Also since I free range, do you think that a silkie rooster would be good at keeping an eye out for predators?

 

[deidreg]

I have two silkies in my flock and, while sweet, they're not too bright. I had an attempted hawk attack and all my girls either ran to hide or go back to their protected run. My silkies (Lumi and Frost) ran around in circles, bumping into each other. I picked them up and got them to safety. Fortunately, the hawk didn't succeed.

They do respond to alarm calls by the other hens, but it takes them longer to figure out what to do.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Good to hear that they are hardy! Very encouraging to hear that they are feisty, because that's what they'll have to come up against with my chickens, so a bird that doesn't necessarily attack for no reason, and is generally sweet, but when provoked reacts is exactly what I need. One of the main reasons I looked at the breed was their broodyness, something my current chickens for the most part lack, so I would like to add that back to my flock on a more consistent level. Do you find silkie roosters to be more respectful and caring towards their hens? Also since I free range, do you think that a silkie rooster would be good at keeping an eye out for predators?

I've had some Silkie roosters that are gentleman, & some that aren't so polite. It's an individual thing like other breeds.

I've even had a silkie rooster baby sit, & feed chicks.

They keep a watchful eye. Just gotta keep the crest trimmed in front of their eyes so they can see well if the crest is overly large.

 

[MysteryChicken]

The other day, one of my LF Silkie cockerels challenged a Malay rooster to a fight, had to break it up, wasn't exactly the best decision he's made.

 

[fluffycrow]

I've had some Silkie roosters that are gentleman, & some that aren't so polite. It's an individual thing like other breeds.

I've even had a silkie rooster baby sit, & feed chicks.

They keep a watchful eye. Just gotta keep the crest trimmed in front of their eyes so they can see well if the crest is overly large.

Thank you! Yes, I will definitely keep the crest on the short side.

I have two silkies in my flock and, while sweet, they're not too bright. I had an attempted hawk attack and all my girls either ran to hide or go back to their protected run. My silkies (Lumi and Frost) ran around in circles, bumping into each other. I picked them up and got them to safety. Fortunately, the hawk didn't succeed.

They do respond to alarm calls by the other hens, but it takes them longer to figure out what to do.

I wonder if that's why they don't react as quickly to alarm calls, the fact that they don't see that well if their crest isn't trimmed.

And again, because I free range, do you recommend any colors that in your experience have found that they tend to get singled out less? Also if anyone has done a cross I would love to hear about the results, temperament, feather type, general features, brooding ability etc

Pictures are more than welcome!

 

[fluffycrow]

The other day, one of my LF Silkie cockerels challenged a Malay rooster to a fight, had to break it up, wasn't exactly the best decision he's made.

One of my aseel roosters attacked a full grown hen to a fight when he was just 4 months old, let's just say the hen didn't leave with the same amount of confidence. The next day he challenged a hen higher up, but she played it smart and didn't get too close

 

[Bkaye]

I have one currently. I had to make a ladder for her to be able to get to the roost with with everyone else. They can’t fly and don’t jump very high. She’s not very smart. When she started laying she laid 2-3 eggs and went broody. They are goofey looking with their movements imo compared to other chickens. Their cheek and fluff from their head tends to block their vision so that needs to be constantly monitored and trimmed so they can see. I have noticed she’s a lot more prone to lice than my other girls.

Personally if broodiness and sweet was there main thing you were after I would look hard at Cochins. My Cochin has gone broody far more than my Silkie and isn’t as dumb.

 

[MysteryChicken]

One of my aseel roosters attacked a full grown hen to a fight when he was just 4 months old, let's just say the hen didn't leave with the same amount of confidence. The next day he challenged a hen higher up, but she played it smart and didn't get too close

Crazy birds.

 

[Bkaye]

One other thing I will mention. If you do not currently have a bird with a crest they may get picked on and bullied because they look different.