Silkie Chicken

[Raekins]

I have a Rhode Island Red chick about a month and a half old, and it gets a ton of attention for hours a day, but when I have to put it back in its cage all it does is chirp and try to get out, it gets lonely. Im going to get another chick and I was wondering about a Silkie. All we really want the chickens for is just as pets and I read that a silkie is extremely friendly and sweet, as well as the rhode island reds.. does anyone have a silkie or know about them?? I would like to know if they are harder to care for (different eating habbits, grooming, ect.) They're pretty fluffy so do they need alot of cleaning? Any information would be helpful!

 

[19hhbelgian]

I am no silkie expert, but I started with one, and just got another

My silkie is very cute, and lets me pick her up and pet her. I did spend a lot of time with her when she was little though, just like any other chicken. She free ranges with the others, and goes in the same coop as everybody else. You don't really need to do anything special for them. One thing is that their poofiness can cover their eyes and make seeing difficult. You are able to trim their feathers so they can see better though. Here's a pick of my older silkie, splish splash:

And my new 2.5 week old partridge silkie:

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

OH silkies are SOO sweet!

 

[Raekins]

Oh my gosh! Those silkies are SOO adoreable! I emailed a guy about some, he has 2 week old white, black, and grey ones. If he calls me today im thinking about checkin them out. Anything I should look for??

 

[luvanimals3]

I love my silkies I ordered some from Ideal and love them they are four weeks old and are the funniest looking things lol! They are very docile creatures!

 

[tplummer]

I have 18 silkies with more in the incubator. They are adorable, sweet and fun to watch. They do not require anything more than any other chicken, or at least mine do not. They eat the same and drink the same. They take care of their own feathers. You do not have to worry about it. Enjoy them if you get them. I have one or more of every color now.

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
A silkie would be a fine companion for a RIR, I raised rhode islands and silkies together before. They are just like any other chicken except for them being able to see as described and that is only in really good breeder specimins usually. Hatchery silkies don't have that issue. You don't have to do any special cleaning on them if you don't want to. Mine only get a real bath if they are going to show or have an injury that makes a bath neccesary. And yes they are very docile, maybe outdoing RIR's in that respect. You shouldn't have a bit of trouble with it.

 

[Silkiefan]

my Silkie is very lazy! She loves to watch TV all day if we let her, sometimes she sits very still and seems to be stuck in deep thought. She especially loves when I take the comb to her itchy pinfeathers ( 4 months old and getting new fluff in) She falls asleep in my lap and purrs.
I got her a 4 week old Barred Rock room mate, and she dosn't seem to like her at all though. Be careful when making introductions.

 

[RoosterRehab97]

Go for a silkie, there some of the sweetest and cutest birds out there.

 

[Pjsmithsparky]

...

Omg I love silkies! I know almost everything about them and I am geting 4 of them( so excited about them) they are my fav chicken and i love the colour buff and splash and balck. But sadly I don't have them yet so I can't post pics of them for you. BUT I can tell you some awesome facts about them!
1. Silkies can not fly so you don't need a big fence to keep them in
2. Silkies have black skin which I thing is kind of cool
3. Silkies have 5 toes but some breeders get them with 4 to 6 toes but it don't matter unless you are showing them.
4. In some places rosters are banned for the crowing and other things but you probably know that
5.silkies can have difficult seeing, but breeders and owners can pluck or trim the feathers nerve the eyes or they pin the crest back using a hair tie. But do it gently or it could hurt them
6. They are probably one of the sweetest chicken breeds they are extremely laid back and easy going. They make great pets for people who are new to chickens. Some people even teach them to be on a leash or even be house trained
7. They are very broody so if you want to breed them it won't be hard. They make wonderful mothers! They love to sit on eggs even fake ones or ones that are not futile. Those fluffy bottoms make fantastic egg-sitters.
8. Always be careful when your silkie is exposed to other animals. You look away for one minute and next you see the bird in the mouth of your dog 'playing'. Even nice dogs could do it one playfully bite and the chicken is killed in an instant . Remember it's your job to protect them.
9. You must watch this vid I don't have it but look it up it's ' Liza the chicken part 1' but start at about 3:50 then watch ' Liza the chicken part 2' it's great.
10. When you buy your chicken if it's a pet don't pay $120 for it beacuse it's show standed silkies can cost from $10 to $130 if I were you I would get them from a breeder.
Oh and btw I made a folder about silkies for my mum and dad to show I will be a great owner to my silkies and guess what now I am geting 4 silkies
And again btw I am naming them nugget and heny penny
My little bro is calling it dark vader
And my friend is calling hers dippi
But the names for my friend and my bro might change
And sorry again here are some funny names for chickens
Soockie chookie
Chicken nuggets
Chicken wing
Chicken drumstick
Chicken breast fillet
Mary Jane
Jane
Mary
Sgt pepper
People from the mr men show like miss messy or mr angry
Pip
Sandy
Ect