Do silkies smell more?

[yakitori]

I love to hug my chickens from time to time, and bury my face in their feathers. They usually smell... like feathers, like how my down comforter smells.
Recently however, I got 3 silkie mixes and when holding them, I notice that they smell like... I don't know how to describe it, it's the smell I used to associate with chickens before I got chicken. Like the way a chicken coop that wasn't well kept might smell? like a dead unplucked chicken from the slaughterhouse? Anyway, it's not a pleasant smell, and my silkies always has what I would call a toned down version of this stinky chicken smell. is this normal? the other chickens I have are BSL, EE and Orloffs.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Well it could be what they were eating and how they were housed. It could also be the feather difference. Their feathers are more like down so it may absorb and hold the the funky chicken smell more than their straight feather friends.

 

[yakitori]

Well it could be what they were eating and how they were housed. It could also be the feather difference. Their feathers are more like down so it may absorb and hold the the funky chicken smell more than their straight feather friends.

I'll try to wipe them down more thoroughly and see if that changes anything. I did have to give one a bath 3 weeks ago because she was sooo filthy... and she smelled nice for a few days, lol.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I'll try to wipe them down more thoroughly and see if that changes anything. I did have to give one a bath 3 weeks ago because she was sooo filthy... and she smelled nice for a few days, lol.

Just remember that chickens and all birds do produce tons of dander (bird dust) and that obviously will have a bird smell and you can only wash them so much or you may strip their natural oils(which also has a bird smell) that they produce to preen and condition themselves. A nice dust bath would benefit them more by absorbing excess oils and creating a natural deterrent to mites, lice and other parasites. You could always add refreshing safe herbs to the dust bath for a more pleasing smell.
Basil.Oregano.Lavender.Lemon Balm.Mint.Sage.Marjoram.Parsley.

 

[yakitori]

Just remember that chickens and all birds do produce tons of dander (bird dust) and that obviously will have a bird smell and you can only wash them so much or you may strip their natural oils(which also has a bird smell) that they produce to preen and condition themselves. A nice dust bath would benefit them more by absorbing excess oils and creating a natural deterrent to mites, lice and other parasites. You could always add refreshing safe herbs to the dust bath for a more pleasing smell.
Basil.Oregano.Lavender.Lemon Balm.Mint.Sage.Marjoram.Parsley.

Oh! that explains it! They definitely don't dust bath as much as the big girls because i don’t let them out of the run. I think it’s time to make a dust bath in the corner for them...

 

[AngBantamLuv]

Oh! that explains it! They definitely don't dust bath as much as the big girls because i don’t let them out of the run. I think it’s time to make a dust bath in the corner for them...

One of my silkies stinks super bad, i know what you're talking about. I think her feathers just absorb stuff more than the others do. I have a blue silkie, she doesn't stink, but the stinky one is partridge color.. its like her feathers are thicker, in the sense that there are more.. maybe that's it. But she smells like a chicken poop pile!

 

[yakitori]

One of my silkies stinks super bad, i know what you're talking about. I think her feathers just absorb stuff more than the others do. I have a blue silkie, she doesn't stink, but the stinky one is partridge color.. its like her feathers are thicker, in the sense that there are more.. maybe that's it. But she smells like a chicken poop pile!

It’s a shame, because they’re so much more cuddle-able! but having a cute, fluffy but poopy smell chicken next to my face is ... :’(