What is your experience with Silkies?

[KaylorFarms]

So I have my order of silkie chicks coming in the mail soon, and I'm really excited to start raising this breed as I've heard that they're a great breed to own. I was just wondering what other Silkie owners think about this breed and what are they like? I've also heard that they're pretty calm and docile and that was one of the reasons I chose this breed. Thank you all in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It depends on what you want out of chickens. I found silkies to be too high maintenance to me. They are more prone to external parasites, they go constantly broody, and it depends on the breeding, but some can have troubles seeing or can be hatched with vaulted skulls.

Lately silkie quality has dropped drastically in some hatchery stock. I've seen silkies the size of standard breeds. So your source will determine whether you have correct looking birds or not.

The pluses of silkies are they are often gentle birds that make wonderful pets, and mothers. They are definitely interesting little birds. They are a breed that is best kept with silkies or other gentle bantam breeds because they can get picked on.

You will fall in love with your fluffy little babies. No one can resist a silkie.

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

As the "mum" to a couple, I can tell you that they are absolutely ridiculous birds.
Almost impossible to sex until they lay or crow.
Really hard to keep in a mixed flock, so you (I) have to buy/hatch more so they survive the winter.
They can have a vaulted skull, which can lead to seizures, we recently found out.
Gotta keep an eye on that head-pouf or your bird will walk in to things she shouldn't (fortunately was just my husband's legs).
Oh, and they go broody. On days ending in -y.

Sound like I'm fussing? Heck no, I love the fluffy little idiots so much! My oldest hen has raised I-dont-know-how-many-chicks in the 2 years I've had her, and would like nothing more than some scratch, a dust bath, and to be admired.
My rooster is snuggly.
Their butts are SO FLUFFY. Just look at this!


Yeah, big fan of the silkie breed myself. Even with the challenges. Just make sure you educate yourself, as always.

 

[danceswithronin]

I had silkies last year and loved them. Half of them went broody this spring but laid tons of eggs last fall and winter. I sold them a few weeks ago to make room in my coop and already regret it.

I would recommend them to anybody, especially if you are truly using a suburban backyard or have limited space for chooks, four of them fit one of those little prefab coops easily.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Thank you for your replies.. Fortunately I don't have to worry about them being picked on so bad because it will be an all Silkie flock. Do the hatchery quality silkies tend not to be as broody? They'll have a lot of attention so I'm looking forward to having 25 little lap dogs.

 

[danceswithronin]

Thank you for your replies.. Fortunately I don't have to worry about them being picked on so bad because it will be an all Silkie flock. Do the hatchery quality silkies tend not to be as broody? They'll have a lot of attention so I'm looking forward to having 25 little lap dogs.

They are very cuddly and tame, especially if you get them used to being handled early and regularly. I had an all silkie flock and they did great, absolutely no aggression issues amongst them at all. Very laid back birds, my little nephews adored holding them.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

I adore my silkies. They all go broody as far as I know. I have 4 silkie roosters and they don't have a mean bone in their tiny little fluffy body. One of my girls is sitting on a clutch of eggs as we speak. They like to be warm and they like to be dry. I haven't had any health issues with mine at all.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Sounds like I've made a great choice then

 

[danceswithronin]

Here's a few of my girls.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

I have 2 silkies in a small mixed flock. One gets picked on and the other doesn’t. The one getting picked on I believe is a roo.


They are SO soft. The little black one will lay down in my hand.