Types of Silkies

[MEH0806]

Hi there,

I was wondering how many types of silkie chickens there are..... ? I know there can be standard silkies and bantam silkies (although bantam is most common), and I know there can be many variations of colors of silkies.

However, what is causing me to ask the question is that we have 4 silkies from one breeder that are stereotypical, small in size, very fluffy, bearded. Then we have 5 from another hatchery, that are significantly larger, non-bearded, and fluffy-ish but relatively smooth too...?

I have read a little about "satin silkies" - is there any truth to that? Is it possible the 5 larger ones are "satin"?

All have black skin, extra toes, blue earlobes, etc. typical silkie identifiers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think there are properly bred silkies and poorly bred silkies and everything in between. Some hatchery stock has gotten really poor, and some breeder stock has gotten so fluffy they can't function. I like something in between like they all used to be. Standard silkies are rare, but many bantam hatchery stock is as big as standards now. It's best to see the parent stock if you are looking for a certain type these days.

 

[MEH0806]

I think there are properly bred silkies and poorly bred silkies and everything in between. Some hatchery stock has gotten really poor, and some breeder stock has gotten so fluffy they can't function. I like something in between like they all used to be. Standard silkies are rare, but many bantam hatchery stock is as big as standards now. It's best to see the parent stock if you are looking for a certain type these days.

Thank you for your reply - the 5 larger ones are from one of the big online hatcheries... we got them second hand. Your response could serve as explanation as to their size in comparison to the other 4. I favor the smaller fluffier ones personally. Thanks for the insight!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have some a few years ago that were smaller, fuzzy, but they could still function. Now I am seeing people with giant ones that are definitely not correct. They got popular for a while, and like most critters that are popular everyone tries to get in on it and sell no matter what they are selling. A well bred silkie is a nice gentle goofy little bird.

 

[JABehrens]

There's the usual Silkie, with the Silkie feathering, in bantam and standard.

There are satin Silkies, which are Silkies with normal feathering. They're quite pretty, though they are technically mutts. I don't think they are showable currently.

Then there are satin frizzle Silkies, who are satins with the frizzle gene. These are also delightful. Some people call them Sizzles, but anyone who's tried to google Sizzle Chicken knows how that ends up.

I just got a few Silkies from a local guy, and accidentally got a satin in there! He's gorgeous.

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

There's the usual Silkie, with the Silkie feathering, in bantam and standard.

There are satin Silkies, which are Silkies with normal feathering. They're quite pretty, though they are technically mutts. I don't think they are showable currently.

Then there are satin frizzle Silkies, who are satins with the frizzle gene. These are also delightful. Some people call them Sizzles, but anyone who's tried to google Sizzle Chicken knows how that ends up.

I just got a few Silkies from a local guy, and accidentally got a satin in there! He's gorgeous.

Here's a frizzle sizzle Showgirl (basically a naked neck Silkie). The "frizzle" is the hard, curly feathers. The "sizzle" is the fuzzy feathers underneath. The sizzle feathering is similar to the regular Silkie feathers except it's fluffier and more delicate, like down or the marabou trim on lingerie. Shed sizzle feathers look exactly like a high quality down feather from a pillow. Unlike a regular Silkie, a frizzle bird can fly perfectly well. I found this out when I brought this one home, much to the amusement of my cats. His wings are clipped now!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My frizzle cochins can't fly any better than a silkie, yours looks like it has a fair amount of straight feathers on it's wings which is probably the difference.

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

My frizzle cochins can't fly any better than a silkie, yours looks like it has a fair amount of straight feathers on it's wings which is probably the difference.

Yup. I also have a frizzle bantam cochin hen. She can't fly (but she's pretty fat - I call her Kamikaze because of the way she dives head first into her food dish) but she can jump pretty high. When I had her in a temporary quarantine pen she jumped up on her nest box and escaped. I had to build the walls higher to keep her in. But - her feathers are shorter and not as curly. I probably should have written "they have the potential to fly" because a lot depends on how the curly feathers lie on their wings.

 

[MEH0806]

Here's a frizzle sizzle Showgirl (basically a naked neck Silkie). The "frizzle" is the hard, curly feathers. The "sizzle" is the fuzzy feathers underneath. The sizzle feathering is similar to the regular Silkie feathers except it's fluffier and more delicate, like down or the marabou trim on lingerie. Shed sizzle feathers look exactly like a high quality down feather from a pillow. Unlike a regular Silkie, a frizzle bird can fly perfectly well. I found this out when I brought this one home, much to the amusement of my cats. His wings are clipped now!

View attachment 1227031

She is gorgeous!! I will have to put one on my chicken wish list.... wow! thank you for the detailed description - I appreciate it!

 

[MEH0806]

Yup. I also have a frizzle bantam cochin hen. She can't fly (but she's pretty fat - I call her Kamikaze because of the way she dives head first into her food dish) but she can jump pretty high. When I had her in a temporary quarantine pen she jumped up on her nest box and escaped. I had to build the walls higher to keep her in. But - her feathers are shorter and not as curly. I probably should have written "they have the potential to fly" because a lot depends on how the curly feathers lie on their wings.

Who knew? Thank you for the tips!