The Final Information on the Silkie Hen

The Silkie hen has been referred to as fluff-balls, aliens from one other world, teddy bears, and plenty of different issues in between.

No doubt, they actually are unusual-looking chickens!

Their unusual look, friendliness, and mothering expertise are absolutely what endears them to many people.

Immediately we’re going to uncover the historical past behind this uncommon breed of hen.

We are going to talk about its egg-laying capabilities and temperament earlier than figuring out a real Silkie hen and checking if it’s a good match in your flock.

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What Silkie Chickens Look Like

Silkies are most actually completely different in some ways from a ‘common’ hen look!

The pinnacle must be crested, trying considerably like a ‘pom-pom’ (just like a polish hen). If a comb is current, it ought to appear to be a ‘walnut,’ being virtually round in look.

The comb coloring must be black or darkish mulberry – another colour, and it’s not a pure Silkie hen.

They’ve oval-shaped turquoise blue earlobes and dark-colored wattles.

Their beak is brief, fairly broad on the base, and it must be gray/blue in colour. Eyes are black.

Their our bodies must be broad and stout, the again is brief, and the breast is full.

They’ve 5 toes as an alternative of the same old 4 present in chickens. The outer two toes must be feathered.

The legs are quick and wide-set, gray in colour.

Their feathers lack barbicels (these are the hooks that maintain the feathers collectively), therefore the fluffy look.

The principle feathering seems to be identical to the under-down of normal chickens.

The truth that the feathers don’t maintain collectively means a Silkie hen can’t fly.

It additionally implies that the feathering will not be waterproofed, and so a moist Silkie hen is a pathetic sight to see.

In the event that they do get considerably moist, they should be towel-dried and even blow-dried – which they take pleasure in whether it is completed repeatedly.

Beneath all that fluff, the Silkie has black pores and skin and bones. Sadly, this makes them a meals delicacy in components of the Far East.

The meat can be utilized in Chinese language medication because it comprises twice as a lot carnitine as different hen meat – carnitine has anti-aging properties (so it’s mentioned).

Silkie Chickens: What You Need to Know

Silkie chickens, happily, don’t want numerous hands-on consideration and care.

These birds identical to most grownup chickens just do fantastic in winter climates and don’t demand loads in case you are on the lookout for much less work in your finish.

Egg Laying and Temperament

Silkies are poor performers within the egg-laying division.

For those who get 120 eggs in a yr, you might be doing nicely. This equates to about 3 eggs every week.

The eggs are cream to tinted in colour and are small to medium in dimension.

They begin laying earlier within the yr than most hens, beginning up as soon as the times start to get longer – often late December however extra typically early January.

Their temperament and silkies are identified to be calm, pleasant, and docile – even the boys.

It has been recorded by a number of those that the roosters will ‘tidbit for the chicks!

This docility can result in them being picked on by different extra ‘pushy’ flock members.

They do finest when put with others of an identical nature, such because the Polish hen.

Regardless of their fluffy feathering, they tolerate the chilly pretty nicely – wetness is one thing they can not tolerate.

In case your local weather is freezing within the winter, they are going to profit from a little supplemental warmth.

They’re content material to be confined, but when allowed to, free-range are nice little foragers.

The world they forage must be a ‘protected zone’ since they can not fly to flee predators.

Silkies are extra famend as being pets, brooders, and ‘decorative’ birds.

The Silkie hen is notoriously tough to intercourse till round six months previous. A breeder can actually offer you their finest guess in intercourse, nevertheless it’s not sure till the chook crows (or not)!

Are Silkies Noisy?

Silkies are literally not noisy chickens in any respect. This is sensible contemplating their calm disposition.

This makes this breed nice in the event you dwell in an condo and are allowed to have chickens.

As lengthy they’ve some house they could be a welcome addition to your life-style. You gained’t have to fret about your neighbor complaining about hen squawking.

Silkie Hen Care (And What to Watch Out For)

Well being Points

Sadly, silkies might be fairly prone to Marek’s illness.

Many silkie hen breeders have bred their inventory for pure immunity, however in fact, you may get your birds vaccinated.

With Silkies being very fluffy, they could be a goal for mites and lice, so you need to pay due diligence to those little fluffballs. You might also must trim the feathers across the eyes to assist them see a bit higher.

Sometimes, the fluff on the rear finish does want trimming for hygiene and breeding functions.

Aside from this, the Silkie hen is sort of sturdy and can often dwell for 7-9 years, longer with a number of TLC!

If A Silkie Will get Moist

Drying your Silkie hen rapidly might be the distinction between life and dying in your fluffy hen.

Since the feathers don’t stick collectively on this “furry” breed, they aren’t insulated, and different breeds of chickens. This implies they’ll catch a chill simply and die of hypothermia, particularly in the event that they dwell in chilly climates.

Tid-bitting is when a rooster finds a tasty deal with and calls his hens over to permit them an excessive amount of on it first. He often clucks to them, picks up the morsel, and drops it so the women can see it.

Silkies have been identified to do that for chicks as nicely.

Whereas most roosters on this breed are pleasant, there are additionally territorial and aggressive territories to strangers. However as with all breeds, temperament can differ from hen to hen.

Professionals and Cons of Proudly owning a Silkie

Background

There isn’t a doubt that the Silkie hen is an historic breed, most likely of Chinese language origin.

Some consider that the Silkie hen dates again so far as the Chinese language Han Dynasty, in 206BC.

The Chinese language identify for the Silkie hen is wu-gu-Ji – that means black-boned.

An alternate identify for this chook is the Chinese language Silk Hen. The proof factors to a Chinese language origin fairly strongly, nevertheless it can’t be acknowledged utterly.

It was first talked about by Marco Polo (round 1290-1300) on his outstanding journey throughout Europe and the Far East. Though he didn’t see the chook, it was reported to him by a fellow traveler, and he reported it in his journal as “a furry hen.”

The Silkie hen made its approach westward both by the Silk Highway or by the maritime routes, seemingly each.

The traditional Silk Highway stretched from China to modern-day Iraq. Quite a few secondary routes crossed over into Europe and the Balkan states.

The subsequent point out we have now is from Italy, the place Aldrovandi, in 1598, speaks of a hen with “fur like a black cat.”

When folks first launched the Silkie hen to the European public, it was mentioned to be the offspring of a hen and a rabbit – a not so unbelievable factor again within the 1800s!

Many unscrupulous sellers bought Silkies to gullible people for curiosity, and it was used as a ‘freak present’ merchandise in touring sideshows and exhibited as a ‘chook mammal.

Breed Commonplace

Consultants accepted the Silkie hen into the British Poultry Commonplace of Perfection in 1865 and the American Poultry Affiliation customary in 1874.

The Australian Poultry Commonplace accepted Silkies in 1998 (bantams solely).

Curiously, all Silkies within the US and Canada are thought-about to be bantam no matter dimension. Each different nation on this planet acknowledges each bantam and huge fowl varieties.

Within the UK, massive fowl Silkies ought to weigh round 4lb (64oz) for the male and 3lb (48oz) for the females, and bantams ought to weigh round 600g (21oz) for males and 500g (18oz) for females.

Accepted colours are blue, black, white, gray, buff, splash, and partridge. A number of different colours can be found, akin to lavender, cuckoo, and purple, however they aren’t but accepted within the APA.

Silkie Hen Photos

Is the Silkie Proper For You?

A Silkie hen is the last word in youngsters’ chickens. They’re cuddly, fluffy, and tolerant, love sitting in your lap, and even take pleasure in cuddles.

They’re very pleasant, calm, and docile birds and work together very nicely with folks – they are going to observe you round and ‘speak’ to you.

This docility can result in them being picked on by extra aggressive flock members, so attempt to preserve a watch open for bullying.

Silkies are notoriously broody – the standing joke is {that a} Silkie can hatch a rock! In addition they make nice moms.

Many people preserve Silkies to hatch out different eggs. A Silkie hen in ‘broody mode’ will often settle for any eggs (together with duck) positioned underneath her.

For those who dwell in an condo and need to have chickens as pets, the Silkies are an ideal match since they’re fairly quiet too.

Nevertheless, in the event you dwell in an space that’s inclined to be moist and muddy, bear in mind that these circumstances do probably not agree with Silkies due to their feathering, however in the event you completely will need to have them, you’ll need to maintain them clear and dry.

Generally Requested Questions About Silkie Chickens

How Chilly Can Silkies Deal with?

Silkies are comparatively chilly hardy birds and tolerate low temperatures nicely. So long as you give these chickens a roof over their head, they are going to survive in temperatures near zero levels Fahrenheit.

Do Silkie Chickens Lay Eggs to Eat?

Sure, a silkie hen is taken into account a yard hen, they usually lay white/cream-colored eggs which are fit for human consumption.

Are All Silkies Bantams?

In some nations, like america, Silkies are acknowledged solely as bantams. Nevertheless, in sure areas, breeders bred them as much as massive fowl.

How Typically Do Silkies Lay Eggs?

A silkie hen can lay about 120 eggs per yr, about 2-4 eggs per week.

Are Silkie Chickens Costly?

The worth of a silkie can differ. Prime-quality silkie chicks can value round $10-$15, and hens can value between $20-$50.

Do Silkie Chickens Scent?

Like all pets, chickens have a definite odor. Once you don’t bathe your animal or pets, they begin to odor dangerous.

So long as you retain them and their quarters clear these chickens shouldn’t odor completely different than they usually odor.

Silkie Chickens: Abstract

The Silkie hen all the time brings a smile to peoples’ faces. This ‘odd-ball and the marginally uncommon chook is actually a crowd pleaser!

Though they gained’t preserve you in eggs, they are going to provide you’ll numerous love, smiles, and cuddles. After they change into bonded to their house owners, they are often described as ‘dog-like of their devotion.

They are going to observe you, speak to you, try what you might be doing, and ‘assist’ too!

They’re actually an incredible chook to have round when you’ve got eggs you need to hatch however don’t need to fiddle round with an incubator.

Learn hatch eggs with a broody hen for extra on that.

All in all, these humorous little birds are a pleasure to have and provides a lot pleasure to their house owners.

Our Selection for All-In-One Computerized Hen Coop Door

Run Hen

• Works Rain or Shine so that you don’t need to allow them to out in inclement climate.
• Go forward and get these further hours of sleep or go on trip, our door has you coated.
• Shield your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking characteristic

Our Selection For Greatest Hen Treats

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