I am not personally familiar with it but, I have heard silkies can also be chocolate. I would imagine fairly rare. But that's the color I thought when seeing the brownish ones.
Folks on the silkie thread would know best.
Silkies and Polish tend to get bullied because they look so different. Also big crests can obscure vision. Hatcheries tend to breed out the "broodiness," but I would bet if you have some girls - some will go broody.
I clicked on this thread because I saw your name. You have been such an enormous help, assisting me with breeds on here - that I didn't realize you would be the OP this time.
You may have heard silkies are extremely difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age, sometimes not till they crow or lay. Unless some of the chicks get enormous UGLY walnut combs (generally males) it will take a while. The only thing I have ever disliked about silkies is their combs. I don't know why early breeders decided THIS should be the proper comb.
If silkies are raised from the start with other young chick breeds, they tend to get along very well.
Folks on the silkie thread would know best.
Silkies and Polish tend to get bullied because they look so different. Also big crests can obscure vision. Hatcheries tend to breed out the "broodiness," but I would bet if you have some girls - some will go broody.
I clicked on this thread because I saw your name. You have been such an enormous help, assisting me with breeds on here - that I didn't realize you would be the OP this time.
You may have heard silkies are extremely difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age, sometimes not till they crow or lay. Unless some of the chicks get enormous UGLY walnut combs (generally males) it will take a while. The only thing I have ever disliked about silkies is their combs. I don't know why early breeders decided THIS should be the proper comb.
If silkies are raised from the start with other young chick breeds, they tend to get along very well.
If needed, there's an extra coop they could stay in separately. Our flock is generally quite good about welcoming young whippersnappers of all breeds and sizes. What I wouldn't give to have a reliable broody!
I'm not too good to ask questions myself, though, because there's something new to learn each day. 
The waiting game is a killer! Walnut combs are something else....but at least they make up for it in other areas.
That's too bad, Rural King is the best. 
Definitely a local favorite!
