SILKIES....Why The Bad Reputation?

[ChickieBooBoo]

My Silkies aren't evil

they are really sweet and friendly and love to cuddle. I don't find them stupid either, just really curious

 

[Patchesnposies]

I am glad to read the posts both pro and con.....who knew Silkies could provoke such strong feelings either way? lol

My bunch of babies came out of a rooster that took the blue ribbon at our county fair....so I don't know what the future holds for me. At any rate, I intend to enjoy them for what they are. I have over two dozen different breeds and love them all for very various reasons. I always intended to buy some eggs and see if I could hatch some Silkies...this way just saved me a bunch of work! lol

Thanks for all of the info, everyone who posted!

 

[Vanessabuffsnsilkies]

Quote:
That is so funny! I do have a couple of little demon roos, must admit. But my whole flock are not bad little chickens. They are very sweet actually...

 

[Zaxby's2]

I've never had silkies, but agree that every breed can have bad roosters and hens, even if they are a normally docile breed. Many people don't like silkies and other crested breeds because they think they're as dumb as squat, when really they didn't realize that their silkies can't see past their crest and needed a trim. They also don't have the ability to fly, and so can't get up to the roost. Yes, silkies are a little high maintenance, and if that's the reason you don't like them, then that's okay, but if you buy a high maintenance breed and expect it to fit in with your other chickens, then it's not the silkie's fault. Not to say that silkies can't be in a mixed flock, but you might just have to keep an eye on them. About silkies being mean, silkies actually have a tendency to be nice, it's just that since meaness can be inherited(to some degree) any silkie that comes from a bad line will probably be mean. Really, a silkie is a nice bird to have around, and is generally docile, but you might have to make sure that they are okay, as they do require a little extra care. Hope this helps!

 

[kathyinmo]

My Silkies are the sweetest ever, roosters included. I love them. I just get tired of them being broody all the time.

 

[Moonkit]

Sorry.. but lack of ability to see only goes so far. I started with two silkie chicks in my flock, Raven and the then Smokey. Neither had a crest developed enough to hinder eye sight.. but one night when it rained hard, instead of following the other 8 chicks into the coop, they moved to the lowest point in the run and, as far as we could tell, drowned. Had they moved a foot to the right, they would have been soaked, but fine. Had they moved with their flockmates into the coop, they would have been damp and fine. We lost Raven, but Smokey managed to pull through and was renamed Stormy.

Out of the lot, 2 were completely dry (the largest slw and columbian wyandotte), 6 were wet (everyone else except the silkies), Raven was dead and Smokey soaked and badly chilled, an inch from death (my parents said it took 2 hours before she could even stand again).

The little survivor:

As you can see.. you can still see her eyes clearly and Raven was the same way. So the "crest blocking vision" does not explain what happened here. Stupidity does. Not that I don't love Stormy anyway.. she does look adorable when she runs with those cute little fuzzy legs!

edit: misspellings.. rofl..

 

[TinyTotsSeramas]

Quote:
Silkies are like sponges! they soke up any water that hits them! but I have to agree. I think they are brainless to a point! especailly when a Silkie goes broody on a Lemon!!

 

[joe17]

Crests blocking their vision doesn't mentally make them stupid but it definitely slows them down. Because of the big crests, they can't move around or away from predators as easily. They tend to run into things too. Take that along with their natural stupidity, and you have one retarded bird! That's why I love them so much. There like little babies!

 

[gmendoza]

my silkies possessed me.

"Yes masters..im comming home now!"

 

[RSFChicks]

WHAT???? Silkies have got to be the sweetest chickens in the whole world which is why I have so many! They lay a small egg and theyre too small to eat so the only reason to keep them is because they are so cute and sweet. Hopefully they come around and if not please dont be turned off by Silkies because like others have said there are mean chickens in all breeds. I would also say its how much time you spend with them when they are babies makes all the difference. I have 2 Blue laced wyandotte hens that when they were young I was very busy and basically just kept them out in the shed and gave them food and water every morning and evening and kept the broder clean and they are super skittish and dont like me touching them or anything. Now their babies I coddled and carried them around and they love me like Im their Momma, they follow me around and coo so I think it really makes a difference in how much time we spend with them whether they turn out calm and sweet or afraid and mean. Hope they sweeten up maybe you could also sit on the ground with them and feed them treats like boiled eggs and eventually they will see you sit down and come running because they love eggs and will eat right out of you hands.