To Silkie or not to Silkie?

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

That's encouraging news for those that love them and I'm sure the fact that yours have smaller crests allows them to be more vigilant of aerial predation.

Yup, that's why I put in bold what I did. I see a lot of posts about how frail Silkies are, but it definitely has not been the case for my birds. My biggest suspicion is that that's the difference between show quality Silkies and my 'ugly' ones. I've even seen (in some show chicken documentary, though I don't remember which--maybe Chicken People?) where some Silkie breeders keep their breeding pens separated only by two-foot-tall fencing. How do those birds even exist?

Mine are more like yours but keep the heads trimmed if needed see more as they get a bit older but they are my little aliens

Aliens, I like that. They definitely have an unusual look for chickens! And look, I found their coop!: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...aceship-coop-that-is-out-of-this-world.73235/

 

[pennyJo1960]

Mine are not fragile at all but smaller now one is larger than the others by a head
the other three cut their nails one day use a cat claw scissor tiny caught a vein thought she would bleed to death scared the crap out of me taking corn starch with next time.. Pip I have seen the spaceship rated way back love it I was given my chicken tractor but folks that was loosing their birds as predators ran out of room with housing being built in Olympia

 

[alexisrambles]

Oh wow I LOVE your silkies! Yes you lose a little of the puff appeal, but I find them completely adorable!!!! And you can see their little faces!

 

[Bald Bee Man]

I've had silkies for 3 or 4 years here in indiana. I never got the memo they are not cold hardy, and fragile. Treat mine no different than our other hen's, they seem to be doing just fine.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

I’m very relieved by much of what you good folks have said. Personally I prefer big birds, but my dad is itching to get a buff Silkie (which I can take care of for him), and since he keeps a roof over my disabled head, I’m seriously considering getting him one as an Easter present next year. No idea yet how a Silkie’s care needs might differ from my giants, honestly I’m a little intimidated by the little fluffballs. I guess I will just get one or two in Spring and figure it out as we go. It can’t be that hard, right?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Get two and understand if you have outside cats your silkie need to be protected from them okay they are allot of fun

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Ha! My outside cats come into the chicken run with me and guard against predator intrusion. If cats attack Silkies, Dad’s gonna have to pick a new favorite breed!