@Insnesnakos -- Silkies are definitely the softest breed so far as I know. Plus, their feathers don't smell either.
I talked w/ another Dominique owner who said her hen had very soft feathers to the touch and also did not have a feather odor. I've owned both Silkies and Dominiques and both indeed have feathers soft to the touch and quite odorless for chickens. Our Leghorns, Breda, Marans, and Blue Wheaton Ameraucana had stiffer feathers and not so soft.
Honestly, I can snuggle my face into Dom or Silkie feathers and not smell chicken. Maybe that's why Pilgrims made bedding out of the softer Colonial Dom feathers?! On the farm my Mom used to make Goose down bedding -- so soft! Nowadays such things are manufactured and "imported" from foreign countries! Guess we've lost our country roots
"JEWLZ" -- One of my Doms from the past
Once in a while an older Dom sprouts an all-black feather. Dom feathers are so soft!
Our current soft Silkies when they were chicks -- "SUZU" and "GINNY"
"SUZU" and "GINNY" -- Just adore our fluffies