Silkies do have special personalities that are unlike large fowl...at least in my experience. Because of their large crest, they do need some special considerations. If you are not going to show them, then trimming the feathers from around their eyes with round-tip baby scissors can alleviate most concerns about them being able to see their food, water, predators, etc.
My large fowl don't come in out of the rain, but my silkies run back into their coop at the first rain drop. I do believe it's important for them no to get wet in cold weather because they take longer to dry due to their feather structure. We don't let them out in their courtyard if it's below 60 and wet. It's just how I try to keep them healthy...others may disagree.
If you are wanting to breed them and raise chicks, then I would suggest picking one variety (color) unless you have plenty of room for multiple coops and the ability to keep them separated by color. Silkies are very "broody" (want to sit on eggs) and generally make excellent mothers. They will hatch anything! Usually one rooster for about 6 hens is enough to keep them fertile but not overbred.
Although most chickens can become friendly and easy to handle, the difference I find in the silkies is that they WANT to be held and loved on. My boys stick their head in my hair and make cooing noises when I hold them and talk to them. I can pick up my large fowl girls but it isn't their favorite thing in the world!
There are bearded and non-bearded silkies and both are lovely. The bearded variety is generally the most coveted by breeders. There are all qualities of silkies...pet quality, breeder quality and show quality. Below is a photo of a show quality white cockerel and pullet and then below that a picture of a breeders quality white hen. The difference is that the breeder quality hen, although she has no disqualifications for a show, doesn't exhibit quite the "typey-ness" that the show birds do. Pet quality birds generally have something that would disqualify them from the show ring...not enough toes, poor type, small crest, wrong color of eyes, bad wings, etc. The last pic is one that I took at a swap/sale of a little girls holding one of our pullets. So sweet!!
Generally my girls lay about 4-5 eggs per week...if they aren't broody! Yes, you can just eat any eggs that you don't want to hatch. They are a bit smaller than a grocery store egg but still just as tasty. Hope this answers some of your questions.
