Whether you’re drawn to their striking appearance or their calm temperament, Silkie chickens offer a unique combination of charm and historical intrigue. Here's everything you need to know about this ancient and endearing breed.

A History Steeped in Legend

Silkies likely originated in Asia, with the earliest records pointing to China. Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer, is often credited with introducing Silkies to the Western world. In his 13th-century travel accounts, he wrote of “chickens with hair like cats,” which puzzled and fascinated European readers. This odd description almost certainly referred to the soft, down-like plumage that defines the breed.

In addition to China, Silkies have long histories in parts of Southeast Asia and India, and they may have spread along the Silk Road. Historical evidence suggests that early Silkies were traded for their novelty, medicinal beliefs, and ornamental value. By the 1700s, the breed had made its way to Europe and began appearing in naturalist texts and poultry breeding manuals.

Early Europeans were both enchanted and bewildered by the Silkie's appearance. Some believed that the birds were a cross between chickens and rabbits, thanks to their fur-like feathers and ear tufts. In fact, unscrupulous showmen occasionally passed them off as just that in carnival sideshows.

What Makes Silkies So Unique?

Silkies are distinguished by several remarkable physical and genetic traits:

• Feathers: Unlike most chickens, Silkies have feathers without functioning barbicels (the tiny hooks that hold feathers together). This gives them a fluffy, soft, and fur-like appearance.

• Skin and Bones: They have black skin and dark blue-black bones, a genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which is rare in the animal kingdom.

• Five Toes: Most chickens have four toes per foot, but Silkies often have five—a trait called polydactyly.

• Crest and Beard: Silkies typically have a puffed crest atop their heads and may have beards under their chins, adding to their whimsical look.

• Turquoise Earlobes: Another breed hallmark is their distinctive bright blue earlobes.

The Silkie Temperament

Silkies are known for their exceptionally calm and friendly dispositions. They are famously tolerant of handling, making them ideal for families with children or for those new to backyard chickens. Many people keep Silkies as pets rather than egg producers due to their docile nature.

Silkies are also prolific brooders. They go broody (want to sit on and hatch eggs) frequently and make excellent mothers, even to chicks that aren’t their own. This behavior makes them valuable in mixed flocks and for hatching rare or difficult-to-incubate eggs.

Eggs and Productivity

Silkies lay small, cream-colored eggs, typically producing about 100 to 120 eggs per year. While they are not champion layers like production breeds, their reliable broodiness makes up for it if you’re looking to hatch chicks.

Because of their smaller size and gentle disposition, Silkies are better suited to a quiet coop than a free-range environment dominated by more assertive breeds.

Ideal Environment and Care

Silkies tolerate confinement well, which makes them ideal for urban and suburban chicken-keepers. However, their unique feathers are not waterproof, meaning they should be sheltered from heavy rain and wet conditions. They are also more vulnerable to cold and require a well-insulated coop in cooler climates.

Their docile nature also means they can be bullied by more aggressive breeds. If you keep a mixed flock, monitor interactions closely and make sure the Silkies have access to food, water, and shelter without interference.

Silkies in Cultural and Modern Context

In traditional Chinese medicine, black-skinned chickens like the Silkie were—and still are—believed to have restorative properties. A famous soup called “black chicken soup” is made with Silkie meat and is considered a health tonic for postpartum women and people recovering from illness.

Today, Silkies are prized not only as backyard chickens but also as exhibition birds. Their unique features make them a favorite at poultry shows. Breeders selectively maintain lines with exaggerated crests, vibrant earlobes, and rich black skin.