Silkie Chicken Colors in Pictures

© 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 Association defines 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.

Most chickens only have four toes. The fifth toe that Silkies possess can easily be seen on this white Silkie chick.

The five toes are readily apparent on this silkie foot.

Doesn't this guy look like a walking, clucking feather duster?

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.

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.

Although this little guy appears bi-colored, he will become a beautiful black Silkie.

This guy can come dust my furniture anytime!

One of the features of a Silkie, having blue earlobes, is often hidden by a beard of feathers as shown in this picture.

The buff coloration is one of the colors recognized by the American Bantam Association.

A beautiful example of a buff rooster.

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.

Silkie chicks are really cute when they're little (to the right), and then they turn into teenagers (below).

But the teen-agers can bring a smile to your face too.

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.

An example of beautifully colored chicks.

A typical Partridge is pictured to the right.

It's easy to see why these are called partridge Silkies.

Even under all that fluff, you can see traces of the blue earlobe that Silkies possess.

Another beautiful batch of chicks.

Splash 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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© Copyright 2011 Cindy Murdoch (homesteadbound)

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Much gratitude and thanks goes to Show-Me Silkies and My Pet Chicken for allowing these wonderful pictures to be used in the creation of this article. Thank you!

Close-up of Silkie Foot, by AlishaV, in Flickr Commons