Silkies

🐓 What Are Silkie Chickens?

Silkies are a heritage breed with a long history, believed to have originated in Asia hundreds of years ago. Marco Polo even mentioned a “furry chicken” during his travels in the 13th century. Here’s what makes them unique:

Silky, fur-like feathers that lack barbicels (the “hooks” that make feathers smooth)
Black skin and bones (a trait called fibromelanosis)
Five toes (most chickens have four)
Blue earlobes and dark eyes
Incredible mothering instinct—they’re famously broody

Silkies come in standard and bantam sizes (in the U.S., they’re usually bantams), and in a variety of colors like black, white, buff, blue, splash, and partridge.

🧡 Why Homesteaders Love Silkies

They may not lay tons of eggs or grow large for meat, but Silkies earn their keep in a variety of ways:

✅ 1. Natural Incubators

Silkies are legendary for their broodiness. If you’re trying to hatch your own eggs—Silkie or not—these birds will do the job better than most incubators. They’ll even hatch duck or quail eggs if you let them.

✅ 2. Kid-Friendly Pets

Gentle, calm, and easy to handle, Silkies are ideal for families with children or for homesteaders looking to raise poultry that’s more than just livestock.

✅ 3. Cold-Tolerant With Proper Care

Despite their fluffy appearance, they do surprisingly well in cold climates with a draft-free coop. Just make sure to keep them dry—they don’t shed water like other chickens.

✅ 4. Urban and Small-Space Friendly

Being quiet and small, Silkies are ideal for suburban or urban homesteaders looking to keep poultry discreetly.

🏡 Housing and Care

Silkies need similar housing to other chickens, but a few key modifications will make their lives better:

Secure, dry coop with good ventilation
Covered run or dry ground (their feathers absorb water like a sponge)
Low roosts or ramps—they don’t fly well and can injure themselves jumping from heights
Protection from bullies if kept in mixed flocks—Silkies are low in the pecking order

If your coop stays damp or muddy in winter, consider elevating a dry section with gravel, straw, or wooden slats.

🥚 Egg Production

Silkies aren’t egg-laying machines, but they’ll give you a fair amount:

Eggs per year: Around 100–120 small, cream-colored eggs
Best use: Personal or specialty kitchen use—not a production bird
Frequent brooding: They’ll often go broody every few months and stop laying

If you’re looking for a bird to help raise chicks, their egg-laying lull is an asset—not a drawback.

🍽️ Meat Birds? Not Quite…

Silkies aren’t raised for meat in most homesteads, but they are eaten in parts of Asia, where their dark meat is prized for its supposed health benefits.

That said, they’re small and slow-growing, so they’re rarely worth processing for the freezer—unless you’re interested in heritage or cultural cuisine.

🐾 Health and Grooming

Because of their unique feathering, Silkies need a little extra care:

Check for mites and lice—their fluff can hide infestations
Keep head feathers trimmed if they can’t see well (reduces injury and bullying)
Watch feet in wet climates—they’re feather-footed, so mud can lead to infection
Avoid mixing with aggressive breeds unless you supervise pecking order dynamics

💡 Tips for Homesteaders

Use Silkies as surrogate moms: Let them hatch and raise eggs from your other breeds
Separate breeding pens if you’re interested in maintaining color lines or quality
Rotate your broody hens to keep egg production from dipping too low
Sell Silkie chicks or hatching eggs—they’re popular and often fetch good prices

🌾 Final Thoughts: Are Silkies Right for Your Homestead?

If your vision of homesteading includes self-sufficiency and a touch of charm, Silkie chickens are a wonderful addition. They’re especially useful if you:

Want a natural brooder to raise chicks
Have children or need a gentle bird for handling
Are working with a small or urban space
Enjoy raising rare or heritage breeds

They may not be heavy producers, but they’re heavy contributors in the heart and soul of your flock.