Silkies: the wonder chicken?

[JulieNKC]

I will never not have a silkie as long as I have chickens. Mine both went broody over the summer (2-3 x each). I let one raise some babies, she was a great mother while they needed her, but once they were big enough had no problem going back to hanging out with her silkie momma and telling the babies it was time to grow up. I have lost 5 chickens and a duck to predators over spring/fall/summer, my silkies have been safe everytime. They are somewhere in the middle of the pecking order. They aren't bullies, but they don't let anyone push them around either. When they aren't broody they lay a cute little egg almost every day, better than everyone else but my leghorn. And of course, they are cute and fluffy!

 

[Tanichca]

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LOL mine does all of this too!! Chip will also protect and brood baby chicks, if you let him!

I don't know how I would get through some days without being able to hold my two silkies on my lap and snuggle for a while. They are real sweethearts, and Chip will try to crawl in my pockets even now (I used to carry him in my coat pocket as a chick, now he is full sized and can't quite understand why he can't get in anymore...

)

 

[teach1rusl]

I only have two, and they are hatchery quality. One requires work, because I have to keep her crest trimmed so she can see (for safety and eating). If they were good quality birds, they'd require more maintenance than they do. So keep that in mind. I use to want polish (and still do in a way), but after having crested breeds, I'm not sure I want to have to deal with crest issues.
On the other hand, they are cute, hilarious in their quirky behaviors, and usually quite snuggable.

Their broodiness can be a plus or a hindrence, depending on your take.

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

And they take cute pictures
See, this is my girl Rose.

 

[kari_dawn]

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[LuckyInKy]

I love my silkies, they are the most tolerant and tame chickens. Mine get picked up constantly by my kids. My four year old like to put his white hen in buckets and carry her around. She puts up with this and never runs away (though I wish she would at times). The white hen does seem fairly dimwitted and wanders around aimlessly. She also will just walk up to a spot and sit there like she is confused. They also are very trainable. I put my silkies in a cardboard box in the garage the first night I got them so I could integrate them slowly into my existing flock. Two months later and they still go and sit in the box every night even though they have a large playhouse at their disposal in the garage.

 

[kari_dawn]

do you have a picture of this chicken bucket ride?...or silkies in a box?

 

[frostbite]

So I'm curious, I don't have any chickens yet but my kid is insisting on one silkie chick when I get my layer chicks in the spring.
What is this crest maintenance thing you talk about? What specific grooming things am I going to have to do, if I'm NOT planning on showing the bird? What am I getting myself in for?

 

[silkie_sue]

I know this sounds so silly

but try the covered pony tail holders. I know, I know....

but it does work
My girls with giant crests get a pull back in the morn, and they see just fine. Just remember to take it out
at night. If you've ever wore a ponytail for ages you know how sore it can make your head, gotta let it rest over night

Also lift them to eye level and have a good look it may just be the cheek puffs, if so trim there.