Venetian adventurer Marco Polo ( circa 1254 - 1324 ) returned from his travel throughout Asia with stories of a “ furry ” chicken . While the exact origin of the Silkie ’s growth remain unknown , China and Japan both lie in claim to this extraordinary domestic fowl .
Fun Facts About the Silkie
Silkies are name for the long , silk - like feathers that cover their bodies . Their small walnut combs and small to medium - size wattles come along deep mulberry to black .
Silkieplumagelooks like fur or down or else of feathering . This is because Silkie plumage miss barbicels , the hooked projection unremarkably run from and interlock the secondary outgrowth of chicken ’ feathering . In addition to epicurean , flossy plumage , the breed has dark - dark legs with abundant feathering , turquoise - blue earlobes , black skin and bone , and grayish - pitch-dark anatomy .
The Silkie has five toe ; most chickens have only four .
Ana HotalingThis stock comes in an assortment of coloring material , and some varieties are bearded with an extra fumble of feather covering their ear lobe . The American Poultry Association recognizes Black , Buff , Gray , Partridge and White , and ( bearded only ) Splash , Blue and Self Blue varieties .
ripe males weigh only 36 ounces . biddy weight 32 ounces . Ana Hotaling
Other Useful Data
Use : The Silkie is a bantam chicken breed used mainly as exhibition and pet chickens ; however , due to Silkie hens ’ utmost broodiness , they make wonderful surrogate hatchers , as well .
Additional chronicle : In 1599 , Italian naturalist and author Ulisse Aldrovandi wrote about “ wool - bearing chicken ; ” however , today ’s Silkie volaille breed , is considerably different than those of the yesteryear . It was recognized in the American Poultry Association ’s firstStandard of Perfection , published in 1874.Ana Hotaling
Special Considerations and Notes : Silkies are sweet , radical - docile crybaby . They lie down about one tint orchis per week . They are brooding hens and are supremely felicitous to hatch the eggs of other birds . Some poultry fanciers consider them the idealistic constitutional incubator and set them on eggs as diverse as quail and duck . Given the chance , Silkie hens cheerfully brood and raise their irregular offspring , too .
Ana Hotaling
Gray - black Silkie chicken meat is in an factor in Asiatic haute cuisine . The breed ’s name in Chinese , wu gu jis means “ dour - boned chicken . ” The chicken occasionally appears in French cuisine , as well .
Urban Uses : Silkie chickens are friendly and make serious pets .
Egg Size : Small
Ana Hotaling
Ana Hotaling
