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SILKIE, THE FANCY SPECIES AMONG THE FOWL SILKIE, A FANCY CHICKEN. The Silkie is an Asian bird that makes a great pet due to its stunning appearance and great gentle nature. Their feathers are distinctively fluffy, and as a consequence they must always be sheltered from the elements as their feathers are not waterproof. Though they are poor egg layers (approximately 120 eggs per year) they are generally broody birds and are often used to hatch eggs from other breeds. The Silkie is light weight for a non-bantam breed, but there is a miniature variety. They have five toes on each foot (most chickens have four), with the outer two toes feathered. Their skin, beak, bones and meat are atypically bluish-black in color. There is a bearded variety with defined ear buff and beard. Appearance: Black, blue, gold, grey, white, partridge with the plumage being silky and fluffy. Silkies owe their unusual black color to fibromelanosis, a rare genetic mutation of hyperpigmentation believed to have first arisen in China. Their Mandarin name, wu GU ji, means “dark-boned chicken;” the name Silkie comes from their fluffy plumage which, lacking barbicel, looks and feels like fur. Silkies have five toes, one more than other chicken breeds. A rare genetic mutation of hyperpigmentation is what gives them their unusual black coloring. Silkies have a black skin and bones and their flesh is also a bit colored, it's just natural in those species. In addition to their ornamental good looks that class up the chicken coop, the silkies are popular because they’re friendly and docile. “You want your pets to be affectionate, Silkies are basically love incarnate and its reputation as a “lap chicken.”“Silkie hens are fantastic mothers,” the Silkie ‘mamas’ will often co-mother and work in a group to raise 20 or more chicks.” “If families want to hatch their own eggs at home under a hen, a Silkie is one of the top choices. Silkies typically make awesome mother hens, and are great brooders.” With maternal instincts that extend even beyond species lines, Silkies will hatch eggs laid by ducks, turkeys and pheasants; because of this tendency toward broodiness, Silkies are not themselves prolific layers, producing fewer and smaller eggs than the average chicken. Silkie yield of about 3 small eggs per week per bird and can hatch them together with others from different species. I hope my above details have given you an insight of this wonderful species among domestic fowl or poultry and below are a few pictures of them., Thank you for your read and views. Sincerely, Lisa.             |
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1/25/2016 9:56 am |
They certainly are interesting looking, not to mention the pre colored "Easter eggs". My neighbor had a couple of these for a while and I used to wonder if he groomed them like a dog. Spiritwoman ^i^
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Hi Beth, I've always like chickens. Have you seen the "Frizzle" the Silkie Bantams cousin? Their feathers are 'upside down' , they are curled upwards. Very unusual. Thanks for the pics and it's nice to have 'regular blog' in between the politics and 'others'. God bless. Judgment Day will be interesting - and all paths lead there.
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Dakotasnake, hi, Thank you so much for your visit and for your nice comments. Am pleased reading from you on here. You are quite right, these little chickens are so cute and have such a peculiarity comparing to other the normal fowl. Am sorry you have lost yours to the mink. Maybe you should have kept them closed securely, Dakota, they are such lovely pets as well. Thank you again for your input and have a nice day. Kind regards, Lisa.
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MrsJoe, hi dear Lady, It's a great joy, reading your comments on my blogs, fowl which I thank you so much dear Lady. Am pleased for your interest as well. These type of chickens do have feathers but they are different from the normal chickens' feathers. The silkie's feather are compared to silk or fur. They are very fine, fluffy and they lack functioning barbicels, which prevent the Silkies from flying also. But they are cute and very docile as well. Quite different from other normal chickens. Thank you again for your visit, MrsJoe. I wish you and all of yours, a pleasant day. Lisa.
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Dear Spiritwoman, hi, Thanks for your input on this blog of mine, am always pleased reading from you as well. Surely these Silkies are nice looking and can be in different colors as well. And their eggs too. Their silky or fur-like feathers are so natural and incomparable to other fowl,. They don't need any grooming as do dogs. But by instinct they do self sort of grooming by themselves. Thanks for your interest Spiritwoman. Wishing you a lovely day. Lisa.
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Ranger hi, First of all, I AM NOT TINA but as usual LISA or BETH. I guess your g/f's name maybe TINA. And you've been confused at the names. It may happen sometime, it's just a reminder anyhow. But thank you for visiting my blog and for your pleasant comments. I appreciate your opinions concerning these lovely particular chickens. They should be kept securely for sure and as pets also. They are really very docile too. Have a nice day Tom and kindly extend my greetings to your TINA. Thanks again. Lisa.
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Hermit, hello, Glad reading from you on my hereabove blog. Thanks for your appreciation and for you nice comments too, Hermit. Yes, I have also seen the Frizzles, they are very different from the Silkies of course. I may post a blog another time on them. Frizzles are really odd too. Thank you again Hermit. Enjoy your day. Lisa.
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Bunmpkin dear, hi, Your visit and comments are well appreciated, thanks. You are so right, these are adorable creatures really. Thanks again Bumpkin. Have a nice day. Lisa.
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Carolyn dear Lady, hello, I appreciate your visit and your pleasant comments. And am pleased for your interests as well. You may google them and you'll be stunned by the photos and the info concerning these particular chickens. Nice read and enjoy your day, Lady. Lisa.
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Aloha dear, hello, It's always nice reading from you on my blog. Thank you so much for passing by. Yes, Aloha, these Silkies are originally from China, since centuries ago and they still exist now in some countries, grown as fowl or as pets. They are so different from the normal chicken as you can see in those photos. But they may be so rare in other countries as well. That's why I have posted this blog on them. Thanks for your concern Aloha. I wish you and all of yours, a pleasant day. Lisa.
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Carolyn my dear Lady, hi, How delighted am I, reading this wonderful and hearty comments from you again on this blog of mine. Thank you and thank you so much for taking your precious time to come back praising me and Looklook., for our way of thanking each of you for the comments left on our blogs. Your sincere and heartfelt appreciation go direct to my heart, allowing tears of joy in my eyes and so great happiness in my heart too. I should mention hereby that, Me and Looklook, we always aim to be respectful, to hold the high esteem and to value each and every comment posted on our blogs from whomever it may be. I myself, try my best and choose to post blogs which I guess, may be liked, appreciated and informative to the readers. I understand that not everyone has the same likeness on any topic but I do agree with their choice and opinion which I respect so much. One cannot please all. However, I do cherish each and every of your kind words posted above, Lady Carolyn. I really didn't expect such heartfelt praises from you dear Lady. My simple "Thank you" is just too minim comparing to my great happiness reading them. You are really a great person with real sincere feelings. Thank you again and always Lady Carolyn. I faithfully wish you and all of yours, all my very best. Gratefully yours, Lady. Lisa.   .
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