![]() While some traits might not be as obvious as their poofy plumage, they all culminate to make Silkies unique among chicken breeds. Characteristics of silkie chickensĪlong with fur-inspired feathers, there are other signature characteristics that every well-bred Silkie should have. A baby brush or toothbrush are gentle enough for your hens’ feathers. If you want an enjoyable bonding activity, you can gently remove bedding or other loose debris from your Silkie using a soft-bristled brush. If your Silkie gets extremely muddy, a gentle bath during warmer weather followed by a pat down from a towel will have them looking fresh in no time. They will preen and dust bathe themselves just as any other hen would, so extra grooming is usually not necessary. While it may be tempting to groom your Silkie, their fluff still consists of feathers – not fur. Place multiple chicken waterers around the run to help your Silkies in warmer weather, and provide plenty of shade in their run to help your hens through a hot summer. Poorer eyesight makes finding shade and water more difficult. This is due to their dense plumage and reduced eyesight from their walnut-shaped comb and feathers around their face. Silkies also struggle more in the heat than other breeds. A wet Silkie should be placed in a warm coop right away. However, when their fluffy, down-like feathers become wet, it will take a Silkie a long time to dry, as they cannot lift their non-rigid feathers away from their skin. As long as Silkies are kept dry in cold weather, they will handle cooler temperatures as well as any other breed. Weatherproof chicken run covers are also a must-have when caring for Silkies to ensure they stay dry while spending time outside of their coop. Caring for Silkie Chicken in WinterĬhicken coops with double-wall insulation are essential to keeping Silkies healthy and happy. This creates very dangerous conditions for any chicken – particularly in cold weather. Once wet, they will be saturated right down to their skin. Since their feathers are not rigid, Silkies do not have any sort of moisture barrier. While the fluffy appearance of Silkies is adorable, it does pose an issue when it comes to hardiness. Are Silkie chickens higher maintenance than other chicken breeds? Because they lack this feature, a Silkie’s barbs are free to flow every which way, giving them their unique, fluffy appearance. Silkies have a genetic mutation that creates an absence of these hooklets. Chickens with normal feathers have microscopic hooklets that connect each fiber (called “barbs”) on their feathers, creating a rigid and smooth appearance. They appear furry rather than feathery as a result of genetics. Other types of Bantams include:Īs Marco Polo noted, Silkie feathers have a fur-like appearance. Bantams are a breed of chicken that are much smaller than standard chicken breeds. Some time later, Dutch breeders of Silkies marketed them as a cross between a chicken and a rabbit.Ī Silkie is actually a type of “Bantam” chicken. Marco Polo described “furry chickens” in his journal during an excursion through China in the 13th century. The exact origin of Silkies is unknown, but experts believe they originated somewhere in Asia. In fact, ancient history describes them as “chickens with hair like a cat.” This ornamental breed isn’t known for egg production, but will lay a modest amount of small eggs per year. Silkie chickens come in a variety of colors, and their fuzzy plumage resembles fur more than feathers. And due to their mild temperaments, are known to be great for children. They’re fluffy, friendly, and fun to watch and interact with. This breed of chicken, with its very distinctive appearance, has gained popularity among flock raisers everywhere. Caring for Silkie chickens is a little different than caring for their regular-feathered counterparts.
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