Silkie chickens????

[college town chick]

Ok, I promised myself (and my husband) only utility birds for our flock. Then I ran into trouble with my son, who was rather upset that the chickens would just be for "usin'" and not be pets; then our toddler decided that "chicken" would be her first animal word (which was a small tragedy -- we're horse and dog folk first and foremost), anyway, "chickies!!!!!" are the bomb with her.

So I started thinking maybe I should get a couple of banties -- for the kids.

I was thinking d'Uccles; prior to a week ago Silkies did not even cross my mind (they didn't look like chickens to me; I like chickens to look like chickens). But I find myself going back and looking at the Silkies again and again. They're so strange looking, but I've heard they're really not bad chickens and supposed to be rather hardy. They come in come really neat colors -- are their feathers really that pettable and are they really that sweet natured?

So please, give me the low down on Silkies -- and would a couple of Silkies be a better choice of pet for the kids? What's it like taking care of them? Are they high maintenance? Are they all they're cracked up to be?

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I'm a teen and my younger bro and I didn't have good experience with d'Uccles. Kind of skitish, more pretty and pet-worthy fowl. I and he have been attacked by d'Uccle males before. Not fun.

We have a Silkie hen and she's an absoloute doll. She's been trained by me to come when called and she's very bright. Silkies are truely all that they're cracked up to be. They tend to take to being locked up pretty well. However, our Silkie rooster is a beast and has attacked me several times before. He's one of the most aggressive birds we've ever had. This may just be my own personal expereince, but I'd never get another male ever again beause of him. He ruined it for me and I cetainly wouldn't get a male for a young child. What a load of work he is! Silkie boys really are the pretty boys of the chicken world. Gorgeous to look at, total dispositional issues.

Even though they don't look like chickens, my little girl is as sweet as can be and we'd never get rid of her for the world.

 

[P0U1TRYP3RS0N]

YES! Get your kids some silkies! They are sweet, docile, adorable and pretty hardy.

 

[Micki's Chickies]

We have silkies and my kids love them! My 3 year old can walk right up to my rooster and pick him up without a problem. They are great little chickens.

 

[kentuckysilkies]

There is no chicken sweeter or more pet-able than a fluffy Silkie hen.

 

[blueoval1]

Yep get some silkies they are great and they are just as easy to keep as any other chicken. And Im sure your kids will love the feathers.

 

[college town chick]

Aha! I've been doing some searching on here, and have read the rumors that Silkies are evil and steal your souls. That would explain the going back and staring at them from me; it's some sort of Jedi Silkie mind trick.

My mom looked over my shoulder and remarked "oh, aren't those cute!", so now I'm starting to think the same thing. They're cute in a funky, fluffy kind of way.

I think I'll get a couple, just to see what they're like. The rooster thing doesn't bother me, as I can't keep roosters anyway, so any roos would have to be rehomed.

 

[peachick]

I have porcelain d'ucles and silkies. I think both would be GREAT for a small child. My d'ucles are so small and friendly I just love them... my very first pair the hen would literally jump in my lap and lay her egg!! I was devestated when I lost her 2 years ago. so this fall at a show when I saw a man with a cage full of them I just had to get myself a pair.
The silkies are cool to look at... but not the brightest bird on the block. That said I have more silkies than any other chicken )