Appearance
Silkies have large, round, fluffy pom poms on their heads, and as their name pleasantly explains, they have a silkie or fur like appearance. Their feathers lack the hooks that hold the web of feathers coming out of the quil, therefore they are not held together like the typical bird feather, instead they are soft and fluffy.
Silkies fur like appearance has often had them mistaken for other animals, infact recently a person told me a funny story of a time when her silkies were really suitably mistaken…The woman had two silkies that would roost at night, huddled together on her stairs to her front door. That night the pizza delivery man began to walk up the stairs and noticed a dark fluffy, fur like creature on the stair. He bent down to give, what he thought to be a persian cat, a pat. As he stroked the so called cat, he heard a startled squark and in fright dropped the pizza and drinks and watched as they tumbled down the stairs. He soon learnt that the cat like creature, was in fact, two chinese silkie hens, trying to have their beauty sleep.
Silkies have two other interesting characteristics that set them apart from other poultry breeds. They infact have five toes, not four. In addition to this quirky trait, they have black skin, compared to all other poultry breeds that have white.
Male silkies or roosters, are larger than the hen, and have a large wattle or walnut(the weird looking appendage above their beak). This wattle should be mulberry in colour, however some are seen with black and red. The rooster’s pom pom is also different from the hen. He has long strands of shiny feathers protruding from the back, it looks really cool actually. They also have long hard tail feathers draping down from their back, lightly covering and mixing in with their fluffy feathers. People often ask me if silkie roosters crow, and yes the roosters do crow, and not just early in the morning, during the day and night too.
Temperment
Chinese silkies are famous not just for their unusual appearance, they are also well known for their docile nature. Children especially enjoy playing with these birds, little girls love pushing them around in prams or bike baskets. I have once gone outside to pack up the toys, at dusk, to find a silkie hen, still tucked away under some old dolly blankets, in a little dolly pram. She was very content, and seemed to be quite happy to stay there for the night.
Silkies are also known for their ability to go broody or clucky. This means, they are ready to sit on some eggs and have some babies. Other poultry breeders often use silkies for this purpose only. Silkies have even been used to incubate and raise ducklings, infact any type of poultry breed. They make wonderful mothers and even some roosters are loving and gentle towards their young. This obsessive, clucky instinct is so strong that a hen may sit on a nest for weeks, even without eggs under her.
Suitability
Chinese silkies are suitable for any chook lover, from two year olds to seniors.
Diet
Silkies, being a smaller breed of chicken, require smaller sized grains or pellets. I feed my chooks a laying mash, which consists of a variety of premixed grains. I also add shell grit, pullet grower and full fat soy in the mix. The full fat soy has a very high protein level and I find this is increases egg production amazingly. However, it is mixed in with the laying mash and other feed. Ensure that the full fat soy does not go hot in the shed, as crop infections could result in spoilt feed.
Silkies require plenty of fresh water, like all poultry and enjoy the odd kitchen scraps. However, to avoid a medical condition known as impacted crop, long pieces of grass, corn plants or long strands of sprouts should not be given. If so they get caught in the silkies crop (their sack infront of their chest) and forms a hard lump, which in most cases results in death, unless it is operated, and vet bills for this are very expensive. Silkies can eat grass, but only the bits they can pick with their beaks, as these are small amounts that can easily pass from their crop into their digestive system. Hence, silkies should be allowed to free range on the lawn, but try to avoid giving your silkie lawn mowing clippings, as other complications can occur if the silkie over eats these clippings.
It is well known within backyard poultry breeders the use of Apple Cidar Vinegar in water can prevent illness, worms and maintain healthy chickens. I add this to the water, each time I refill their containers. About two tablespoons per litre is sufficient. I find it also reduces the amount of algae in the water containers.
Garlic is also a natural rememdy to use. Garlic can be used as a natural wormer. I try to crush a few cloves in the chickens water each full moon, or once a month. I find this is all I need to control worms. Some people also crush the garlic and mix throughout the silkies feed. A herb sensibly called wormwood, is also a natural remedy for worm prevention. It can somtiimes be sold at local farmers markets. Planting it where chickens can freely peck at it, is a great idea. Covering it with a wire mesh is an option, to prevent over grazing.
Lice and Mites is a problem with most poultry, especially in the warmer months. Lice can somtimes be in such infestation that it can cause death in birds. Some poultry breeders use rosemary to deter mties. Freshly cut rosemary sprigs, spread around nestboxes and the pen can deter the little suckers, however mite spray purchased in a concentrated form, from your local produce, is the best way to eradicate them, if you have an infestation. You can usually tell if you have mites, as when you handle your silkies you can feel, but not see, tiny spider like bugs crawling up your arm or legs. Diluting the concentarte in a back spray pack, is an easy way to treat your birds.
Housing
Because silkies have the fluffed out feathers, water can penetrate their feathers more so than the standard laying hen. Therefore, they need to be protected from the elements. Their pen should be have a roof that covers the entire area. However, saying that, they should be let out to scratch around in the garden. It should also be well wired to stop intruders entering the pen. Neighbour’s roaming dogs and foxes are the biggest threat to the silkie, hence they should be locked up at night once they enter their pen to roost.
Care and maintenance
Care and maintenance is low, as long as they are well sheltered, and their diet is right for them. Although, at times the hen’s pom pom needs to be trimmed around their eyes. At times in grows so big and fluffy, that it actually blocks their vision.
Common Illnesses that I have encounted
The most common illness I see in silkies is coccidiosis. The tell tale signs are the silkie looking depressed, fluffed up, tail somewhat downwards, and usually huddled up alone. When you pick up the silkie her breat bone is protruding significantly, and she is very thin. Don 't dispair, as it can be treated and silkies can survive this, I have only had a few deaths from this virus and its usually only because I have treated it too late. If you believe your chicken has this disease you can use a solution called baycox to treat it. (Please note, there are lots of poultry diseases and your vet would be able to confirm its illness and recommend the best treatment. I am just sharing my experiences with you).
However, a well known poultry breeder has also told me to use condy's crystals to tret cocci. He said to dilute only a few crystals, until you have opaque coloured water. Leave the chickens to drink this for only one day, then the next day give your chooks some natural yogart. Then repeat this process in five days. The condy's crystals are believed to be an antiseptic, and the natural yogart restores the good bacteria. It is also important to clean out your pen. If you use the deep litter method, replace it twice at one week intervals to stop the life-cycle of the nasty bug. Coccidiosis, is quite prevelant after or during wet weather periods.
Size, lifespan, cost
Chinese silkies live to about nine years of age. A good quality silkie hen can start at fifty dollars. Recently, a breeder I know has sold a silkie rooster for four hundred dollars. However, like everything, quality will cost more. Chicks usually start from fifteen dollars, and will increase with price as their age increases.
Where did they originate?
Marco Polo observed the chinese silkie on his expeditions to China in the 13th century.
Cluky Hens and introducing day old chicks to her
If you have a silkie hen at home that has been sitting on eggs or just sitting without eggs, for a few weeks a good idea is to buy day old silkie chicks. At evening time when the chooks have gone to bed, quietly put the chicks under her wings and amoungst her fluff. They should stay for the night under her, and hopefully the hen will adpot and care for them without any problems. Just ensure that the hen is down low, incase a chick goes walkabout and, as the chick needs to get back to the hen, and if she is up high, the chick will get cold and die. Go out a few times that night with a torch and check that the chicks are still under her. It would be a good idea to ensure the clucky hen is alone, and there are no other hens or roosters around, as at times a jealous hen or rooster can pick the chicks and kill them. It would be best to move the other chickens and not the clucky hen , as if she is moved she may longer decide to be clucky. I have done this several times and I have never had a problem introducing chicks, as long as they are as close to day olds as possible, the younger they are the easier the chick will accept its new mummy.
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