Does anyone else not like silkies?

[CityChicker]

I don't know how to describe what I think about Silkies. LOL, can I love them *and* hate them? Really, they are far down my list as far as favorites, but I have kept Silkies for probably almost 30 years. I used to like them a lot when I was younger (like pre-teen and teen). As I got older though, they just didn't appeal to me much anymore. I think they are valuable to keep around as broodies and sometimes I will look at them and think they are cute, but there are *several* breeds that I like much more than Silkies.

 

[Muggsmagee]

We were convinced to take 4 day old white silkies when we picked up our other day old chicks. I wanted nothing to do with them at the time. I just wasn't smitten. I must say for all the time I've spent with them, watching their antics, watching my kids (their friends, my neighbors, my neighbors grandkids, our family) with them, EVERYONE is drawn to them. EVERYONE. They are fascinating. You can't help but watch them. I now love them. And just so we are clear on this thread...a chicken is a chicken is a chicken...you sure can eat it if you want to! Silkies are a delicacy in the Orient. I don't have the stomach yet to differentiate between my silkies and dogs (as pets), so no, I won't be eating them anytime soon!

I say thumbs up for Silkies! It is completely okay for anyone to not like them....I think there are enough people who do!

 

[ultasol]

Why are there so many threads on this? Some people love polish, I do not. Some people hate cornish, I like them. There are those that prefer 'gamey' breeds,... this is why and how the variety of poultry available came to be- to each their own and to each bird it's own purpose.

 

[serendipityfarm]

Just had to add this quote from my niece at our local fair last night (we were lookng at the Silkies in the chicken barn):

"Auntie, whay are the brains on the outside of their heads?"

ROFL!!!!

 

[sonew123]

Dang..surprised PC hasnt jumped on this ban wagon!!!

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

okay it doesnt matter the cost of keeping a silkie if i wanted to I would buy one and show it in a few shows....but the thing is I dont want to buy them. Their are soooo many oriental birds to chose from. I could pick any of them and be happier with one of them rather than a silkie.

 

[joe17]

Its not really the money, its buying them and not getting many eggs out of them. People think they are a waste of space. Most of you probably had lower quality ones anyways so those wouldnt be as soft etc


Yeah I was wonderin the same thing about all the threads about this. Im not really offended at all but Im sure you wouldnt like a thread about hating your favorite breed.

 

[Suechick]

I hatched a few silkies because my daughter REALLY wanted one. And I must agree with the high maintenance issue! Oy vei.
We have a white one and she is always dirty, feathers have yellowed and she insists on sleeping under the roost where the other birds sleep so she either gets pooped on or I have to go out and move her every night.
Oh and I must complain about those foot/leg feathers. They are never ever clean and look gross, wish I could just cut them off!
On the other hand, she does have an interesting personality and my 7yo daughter carries her around the yard like a stuffed animal. Her eggs are small, but pretty good, so she can stay.

 

[call ducks]

Quote:
<sinkers> humm i wonder if PC has any of that was it silkie soup left...

but yhe i do not like silkies had some never get any again, i like my cochins are like 50 X softer with more fluff then silkies, and i like any other breed more then a silkie. i don't "hate" them, but i see no other use for them besides showing, and around here, i need a bird that i can show and will be able to produce

 

[shchinchillas]

I was never a fan of silkies. However, we were in TSC and my fiance saw "bantam" and somehow didn't notice the "Silkie" in front of it. We ended up with 12 all white silkies... I made the mistake of saying they are "cute" and when he went to order the 2 breeds he wanted from cackle, he decided to order me 15 more silkies (Blue, Splash, and Black).

I am totally overrun with silkies, and while they are cute- I really just wanted some easy to care for chickens that I can allow them to be free-range, and they'll give me eggs. I now have about 25 silkies left after losses... and I have no idea what to do with them. They are hatchery stock, so I doubt they'd show well. They are free-ranging with the rest of the flock-- but now the feet feathers are ruined because they are *gasp* being chickens and not pampered.

I will admit.. they are cute- and I do like the temperaments. I can always rely on them to be in the barn on time, and not having to catch them like the sexlinks. There is one who is recovering from a broken leg, and while she won't venture out of the barn and stays behind I notice either one of the silkies, or my sex-link rooster is with her at all times. At night the other silkies find her, and sleep with her.