
Silkie chickens have feathers that feel like silk. Males weigh 4 pounds and females weigh 3 pounds. In Europe, Silkies are classified as standard-sized, although they are at the smaller end of this category. This bantam sized Silkie is actually a different breed than other European Silkies, which is why they are smaller, weighing 2.25 pounds for males and 2 pounds for females. In North America, Silkie chickens are classified as a bantam breed, which means they are a smaller bird. Silkie Chicken Characteristics Size and Weightĭepending on where the Silkie chickens live, they can be classified under two weight categories. If you are trying to hatch other eggs, even from different bird species, Silkies are quite good at sitting and hatching them. One other benefit of Silkie chickens is that the hens love to sit on eggs.

Some Silkies will actually produce an egg a day. You can expect about 150 eggs a year from a Silkie chicken, although this will be a larger amount if you live in a warmer climate. They are docile and not at all aggressive, making them a perfect backyard pet for your kids. Backyard farmers will breed Silkie chickens and interestingly, they are sometimes used to hatch the eggs of other waterfowl, such as geese and ducks. Nowadays, Silkie chickens are very popular thanks to their ornamental look. Once travel opened up to North America, these chickens then found yet another new home. However, they might also have origins in Java and India.Īt the height of travel via the Silk Road, Silkie chickens made their way to Europe where they quickly became popular. Silkie chickens probably hail from China and are sometimes called Chinese silk chickens. While you will get a good amount of eggs from a Silkie chicken, their calm demeanor make them an excellent backyard choice if you have children. Named after its luscious plumage that feels like silk, the Silkie chicken really stands out in a crowd. It has lofty feathers that stick out all over, including their heads. What is a Silkie Chicken? While there are many types of chickens, none is as gorgeous as the Silkie. There are many ordinary chicken breeds but none is so refined as the Silkie chicken. Backyard chickens are growing in popularity.
