Scientific Classification

KINGDOM: Animalia

PHYLUM: Chordata

CLASS: Aves

ORDER: Galliformes

FAMILY: Phasianidae

GENUS: Gallus

SPECIES: Gallus gallus domesticus

Conservation Status

Cute Silkie hen
silkie chicken (American Silkie)
A pair of silkie chicken
White Silkie chicken, 6 months old, standing in front of white background

They weigh anywhere from 1.5 to 3 pounds with the females being a little smaller. Their feathers don’t have barbs holding the feather strands together, causing them to form individual silky strands, which gives them their fluffy appearance. Besides their unique plumage, they have five toes instead of the usual four displayed by most chickens.

There are two types of silkie chickens: bearded and non-bearded. Both of these chickens look similar but the non-bearded silkies have a more visible face and might not have as much fluff on their feet. Another telltale sign of a silkie chicken is its blue earlobes, which are visible in the non-bearded ones.

One of the most differentiating features of the silkie chickens is their black skin, bones, and organs. This is caused by having an excess of melanin, which is visible in few species of chicken, which is caused by a rare mutation believed to have begun in Asia.
Silkie chickens can be found throughout North America although they originated from China. It is unknown when these chickens first appeared but the earliest record was written in the 13th century by Marco Polo who wrote about the “furry chicken.”
Most chicken species are happy with a pellet diet but silkie chickens have a hard time swallowing pellets. Instead, they must eat a layer of crumbles. Also, grit is necessary to their diets to grind coarse feed in their gizzards.
Silkies are not known for their constant flow of eggs. In fact, they are more well-known for their brooding abilities. This means that they are dedicated and very happy to sit on eggs and incubate them, even if they are from another breed. Farmers will keep silkies around other types of birds so that the other birds will lay eggs and the silkie will ensure a healthy incubation process.

A silkie chicken’s fluff not only affects its flying but also its swimming. Because their feathers don’t have the barbs to keep them together, their wings will not hold air. Also, they have feathers growing down their legs and over their toes. The silkie chicken’s leg and feet feathers can easily become waterlogged so they do not swim either.