Are Silkie Chickens Friendly?

Silkies are also known for their calm, friendly temperament, which makes them exceptionally great pets for homes that have children. In fact, silkies can be quite affectionate if owners take the time to handle them often.

Do silkie chickens like to be held?

Silkies are gentle, kind birds who love company and adore being held and fussed over.

Do silkies like being cuddled?

Silkies don’t mind getting up close and personal with their human friends, in fact, they quite like being cuddled, kissed and groomed, making them eggcellent pets for young children.

Are silkie chickens good for beginners?

Thanks to their fluffy feathers and docile behavior, silkies are a great starter bird for anyone looking to begin their own backyard flock. Silkies generally require smaller coops than other chickens. They still need plenty of food and water, however.

Are silkies aggressive?

Silkie roosters can and do crow, but they are quieter than other breeds of roosters. Their unique looks and small stature make them one of the more popular breeds for backyard chicken coops. They are also less aggressive than other breeds and are a good choice for beginners and inexperienced handlers.

What is the average lifespan of a silkie chicken?

seven to nine years
Silkies are a surprisingly hardy breed. You can expect them to live for seven to nine years on average. Their long lifespan may be due to their low egg laying capabilities. This means that because they lay eggs less often, they experience less strain on their body.

Do Silkies need special care?

Silkies like all other chickens require a certain amount of care to keep them happy and healthy, and while they are not a high-maintenance breed, because of their delicate and substantial feathering, they do need a little extra attention to keep them looking super smart and sassy.

Can u eat Silkie chicken eggs?

Do Silkie Chickens Lay Eggs to Eat? Yes, a silkie chicken is considered a backyard chicken, and they lay white/cream-colored eggs that are safe to eat.

How much space do Silkies need?

Plan four square feet of run area per bantam Silkie; eight to ten square feet for heavier Silkies. Provide perches. Chickens like to roost sleeping with their feet off the ground. An old wooden ladder can work for large birds.

What chicken breeds get along with Silkies?

This is a docile and friendly chicken breed. In fact they are so friendly they often get bullied by more assertive birds like Rhode Island Reds. They will do well mixed with other docile breeds (such as Polish, Cochin or similar types) and enjoy a peaceful coexistence. Silkie roosters are a delight.

Can Silkies be kept in the house?

The fact that silkie chickens are unable to fly due to their fluffy plumage makes them the easiest of all chickens to keep as pets because they are that much easier to contain. Silkies are also known for their calm, friendly temperament, which makes them exceptionally great pets for homes that have children.

Do Silkies get picked on?

Yes – even though they look different, Silkies are quiet flock members, and get along well with other chickens. Because they’re docile, you might find your Silkies are picked on more than your other flock members – just keep an eye out, and separate if any issues arise.

What is the best food for Silkies?

Feed your silkie chickens layer crumbles rather than pellets, as pellets are sometimes too large for silkies to eat. You can feed them a mash made of bran, grated apple and carrot mixed with meat meal and a little vegetable oil once or twice a week. Toss out table scraps such as vegetables and bread for your chickens.

What age are Silkies fully feathered?

6 weeks
In general, most chicks are fully-feathered by 6 weeks of age. That means that their chick down is gone and they have grown real feathers, which allow them to regulate their body temperatures.

Can 2 Silkie roosters live together?

That said, most backyard chicken breeds do fine in flocks with multiple roosters. Favorite breeds for roosters (and multiple roosters) include Salmon Faverolles, Plymouth Rocks, Marans, Orpingtons, Australorps, Silkies and Brahmas.

How much are Silkie chickens worth?

How Much Do Silkie Chickens Cost? Silkie chicks can be purchased for anywhere from $3 to $10 each, while adult hens or roosters can be bought for between $15 and $50 each. The pricing depends on many different factors, most importantly, the lineage and quality of the breeder.

How cold can silkie chickens tolerate?

They will be fine in freezing temperatures (even sub zero temperatures) so long as they have access to fresh water and stay dry. Some particulars may vary breed-to-breed, for instance Silkies and frizzle-feathered chickens are less cold hardy.

What color eggs do Silkies lay?

white
Unfortunately, Silkies are relatively poor egg layers. They will lay around 3 eggs per week, with some Silkies not laying at all over summer. Their eggs are small to medium in size and cream or white in colour.

Do silkie chickens need heat in winter?

I found out that I was wrong about the heat, but not wrong that Silkies require special winter care. Despite feathers that look like fur, and twisted feathers like those on this Bantam Frizzle Polish, these birds don’t need heat.

Are silkie chickens smart?

Though they are small in stature, silkies are big on personality! My silkies especially are total characters and are actually pretty smart. A silkie roo was the first chicken I trained to walk on a leash and I often took him to events to teach people about raising backyard chickens for eggs.

Are Silkies heat Hardy?

Silkies can tolerate some heat, but they can’t tolerate extreme heat. Some chicken keepers said that their Silkies get stressed when the temperatures raise over 80 degrees. So, if you have Silkies, you’ll definitely want to keep them in an insulated coop, and consider using fans or even an air conditioner.