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 Uses: A very persistent broody and unusual ornamental looks. Popular for exhibiting.
Eggs: 100-120 Tinted or Cream. Origin: Asia
Weight: Cock: 1.8 Kg, Hen: 1.36 Kg.
Colours: Black, Blue, Gold, Partridge, White, in Standard or Bearded (Standardised).
Useful to know: Silkies are very persistent boodies, so good, sometimes they will not eat and require regular removal from the nest to make sure they get fed. They require sheltered runs since they will not cope so well with very hot, cold or wet / muddy conditions.
Photo: Reserve Champion Silkie Male - Owned by L. Hidden. Photo Courtesy Rupert Stephenson.
The Silkie is a very old breed of hen and despite their light weight, are still classed as 'large fowl' in the UK. They are found in history books going back around 2000 years ago in China, reaching the UK around the mid 1880's. Silkies have unusual fluffy feathering, a head crest, very dark skin caused by melanotic gene and 5 toes that are covered with feathers. They are a unique breed. It is thought (although as yet unproven) that the Silkie might have been crossed with other breeds when it reached Europe to create breeds such as the Poland and Sultan. Silkies are very popular with hobby keepers as is the name 'cloud' for a white Silkie!
Silkies adapt well to being confined and are fairly docile, making good pet chickens as well as fantastic broodies, pure or crossed with other breeds.
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