Ques about and bearded and non-bearded silkies

[happymom99]

Hello. What is the difference between bearded and non-bearded silkies? Are they easy to tell apart? Is one usually preferred over the other? If you have a picture of one of each can you post it so I can see the difference?

Thank you!
CJ

 

[Illia]

One is bearded and one isn't

In poor quality stock you can tell the non-bearded ones by their small crests, small general head appearance, and the males have large purple or even red wattles.

In bearded both poor and good type, they're very fluffy in general with a nearly hidden face, males have little to preferably no wattles but may have a large to small purple comb peaking out of their cottonball face.



bearded ^



non bearded


bearded gals



non bearded male

 

[AquaEyes]

To my eyes, the last picture is the most attractive. I don't understand the appeal of chickens whose faces you can't see -- but that's just me.

 

[Olamina]

When you purchase a silkie at a feed store or TSC is it more commonly bearded or non bearded?