Silkie Rant Thread

[topochico225]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to hear people's thoughts and opinions on Silkie chickens. Please remember to abide by the BYC Rules! I don't want this thread to get closed.

Personally, I don't keep Silkies and I will never choose to because I believe breeding birds to have a vaulted skull for purely human cosmetic reasons is cruel. One well aimed peck, and you've got a dead bird.

What are y'all's thoughts?

 

[Cecisflock]

Ugh, I hate silkies ALL THE FLUFF! i cant can you tell me more about this vaulted skull??

 

[topochico225]

Ugh, I hate silkies ALL THE FLUFF! i cant can you tell me more about this vaulted skull??

Vaulted skulls are not super big of a risk, but imho it's cruel that anyone ever bred a bird like that. A vaulted skull is where the skull is pushed up like this:
(top is vaulted, bottom is normal skull)

The skull is usually very thin in that part or nonexistent. Some breeders think that vaulted skulls make the crest higher/larger. It's honestly not that big of a difference.

I also don't like silkies because they go broody so much. We had a friend with silkies, and literally EVERY WEEK there were at least 2 MEAN broodies. The friend was super kind to their birds, etc. so it wasn't neglect or anything.

 

[Chicklove4ever]

I think silkies are better raised as pets then they are as a flock. They are really sweet birds and get along with cats and dogs. I have a house silkie rooster that sleeps in rabit hutch in my room. He thinks hes a dog. When dogs bark he barks too. He wears diapers and is potty trained to use puppy pads if needed. He loves to go on trips and car rides. We forget hes a chicken.
They are super smart Asian birds. I think they look like muppets sooo cute!

 

[chickentrains]

I think silkies are better raised as pets then they are as a flock. They are really sweet birds and get along with cats and dogs. I have a house silkie rooster that sleeps in rabit hutch in my room. He thinks hes a dog. When dogs bark he barks too. He wears diapers and is potty trained to use puppy pads if needed. He loves to go on trips and car rides. We forget hes a chicken.
They are super smart Asian birds. I think they look like muppets sooo cute!View attachment 2596789

and this is why i LOVE silkies! pretty bird

 

[Sally PB]

They look like fluffy stuffed animals to me. I would love to pet one to feel its feathers. Totally cute, but they would be totally impractical for me.

 

[Chicalina]

This is a short thread, so it seems not a lot of people agree!

I keep silkies, among other breeds.

The only downsides for me are the feathered feet. With our wet climate, I have been fighting mud and mites with my rooster's feet in particular.

My hen is easily broken, and serves as a great broody when I want to hatch eggs. She is never mean.

Silkies are great. The vaulted skull has never posed a problem and I've kept silkies and polish for years.