© Copyright 2011 Cindy Murdoch (homesteadbound)
The origin of the Silkie is uncertain. It is believed that they originated in India, China or Japan. They made their appearance in Europe around 200 years ago; and then they were sold as a cross between a rabbit and a chicken! That means they might have been called rabkens or chickbits, much the same as the "turken" who was thought to be a cross between a turkey and a chicken.
The American Bantam Associationdefines 6 standard colors: black, blue, buff, white, partridge, splash, and gray. Other colors that are also popular although not accepted as standard are: red, lavender, porcelain, and cuckoo.
As you browse through these pictures, please click on any picture to view a larger image of the Silkie that you would like to see more clearly.
White Silkie
Most chickens only have four toes. The fifth toe that Silkies possess can easily be seen on this white Silkie chick.
Close-up of Silkie Foot
The five toes are readily apparent on this silkie foot.
White Silkie
Source: My Pet Chicken
Doesn't this guy look like a walking, clucking feather duster?
White Silkie Close-Up
Source: My Pet Chicken
The Silkies' feathers are furry, or fluffy, because their feathers do not have barbs. Their feathers also do not have the hard shaft that runs down most feathers. These two traits cause their feathers to be the beautiful, fluffy feathers that you see here.
Close-Up of Feet
Source: My Pet Chicken
As can be seen in the picture to the right, Silkies have feathers on their feet. And, long toe-nails that often require trimming and filing.
Black Silkie Chick
Source: My Pet Chicken
Black Silkie
Although this little guy appears bi-colored, he will become a beautiful black Silkie.
Black Silkie
Source: My Pet Chicken
This guy can come dust my furniture anytime!
Black Silkie Close-up
Source: Show-Me Silkies
One of the features of a Silkie, having blue earlobes, is often hidden by a beard of feathers as shown in this picture.
Buff Silkie Chick
Source: My Pet Chicken
Buff Silkie
The buff coloration is one of the colors recognized by the American Bantam Association.
Buff Silkie Rooster
Source: Show-Me Silkies
A beautiful example of a buff rooster.
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Buff Silkie Close-Up
Source: My Pet Chicken
Owners sometimes have to trim the feathers over their eyes as these tend to hang down and block their vision.
This photo shows a bearded (on the right) and a non-bearded (on the left).
The wattle and the bright blue earlobes are easily seen on the non-bearded Silkie.
Blue Silkie Chicks
Source: My Pet Chicken
Blue Silkie
Silkie chicks are really cute when they're little (to the right), and then they turn into teenagers (below).
Blue Silkie Chick
Source: Show-Me Silkies
But the teen-agers can bring a smile to your face too.
Blue Silkies
Source: My Pet Chicken
Silkie feathers do not have a firm center shaft; therefore, air flows through their feathers rather than around them. Because of this, Silkies cannot fly.
Partridge Silkie Chicks
Source: My Pet Chicken
Partridge Silkie
An example of beautifully colored chicks.
Partridge
Source: Flickr Commons
A typical Partridge is pictured to the right.
Partridge Silkie
Source: My Pet Chicken
It's easy to see why these are called partridge Silkies.
Partridge Silkie
Source: Show-Me Silkies
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Partridge Rooster
Even under all that fluff, you can see traces of the blue earlobe that Silkies possess.
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Red Silkie Chicks
Source: My Pet Chicken
Red Silkie
Another beautiful batch of chicks.
Splash Silkie
Source: My Pet Chicken
Splash Silkie
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Even Blue and Pink Ones!
Show Girl Silkie
Source: Show-Me Silkies
Show Me Silkie
Silkies have blue/black skin, meat and bones. This characteristic is highly visible on this Silkie. This Silkie reminds me of a Turken.
In fact the breeder (Show-Me Silkies) has shared that 15 generations ago a turken was indeed used in the creation of this Silkie - 15 generations and lots of selective breeding!
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