Silkie or nor a Silkie

[claireree]

I have recently purchased 3 silkies a cockerel and 2 hens, I have been told that pure silkies have a extra toe, is this correct. My cockerel does but only one of the hens does.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Ye, they have an extra toe. If they are hatchery birds expect them to be different.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Yes silkies should have 5 toes, but there are variations that occur in breeding, and thus even silkie breeders will have ones born with 4 toes on occasion. They simply call these "pet quality" and don't use them for breeding.

It is possible of course that they are crosses since a picture isn't included in your thread, but you can definitely have four toes and it be a "pet quality" silkie.