⚠ Maintenance — We are making site improvements. Some pages may be temporarily unavailable.
Home · Browse · Breed

Silkie Bantam

Silkies are the cloud-fluffy 'teddy bear' chickens - black skin, 5 toes, crested head, soft hair-like feathers. Terrible flyers, excellent broody mothers, beloved show and pet birds. Lay small cream-colored eggs.

About this breed

Quick facts: Silkie Bantam

OriginChina - documented since the 1200s
APA recognized1874
Conservation statusCommon
Also calledSilky, Chinese Silk Chicken
Adult weightRoosters 2-3 lb, Hens 1.5-2 lb
Size classBantam
Eggs per year~110
Egg colorCream
Egg sizeSmall
BroodinessVery High
Cold hardinessGood (dry only)
Heat toleranceFair
Noise levelVery quiet
Flight tendencyCalm/won't fly
Beginner friendlyYes

History & origin

One of the oldest documented chicken breeds. Marco Polo wrote about 'furry chickens' in his 13th-century travels to China. Brought to Europe by Dutch traders in the 1700s and described by Linnaeus in 1764. APA-recognized in 1874 (Black and White varieties). The black-skin, black-meat trait (a result of fibromelanosis) is genetic and harmless - the bird is otherwise a normal chicken. Bantams only in the US APA standard; some countries recognize a Standard (large) Silkie.

Personality & temperament

gentlebroodyfriendlydocilelap-sit-friendly

Best for: pet, show, broody mother, kids

Eggs & laying

Tiny eggs; production halts every time the hen goes broody (which is often).

Husbandry & care

Indoor coop space2 sq ft per bird
Run space6 sq ft per bird
Roost bar6 in per bird

Space: Cannot fly to a high roost - provide ramps. Feathered legs hate mud.

Feeding: Bantam layer feed or grower (16-18%). Smaller pieces - regular pellets are oversized.

Health: Feathers don't repel water - keep dry or you'll get respiratory issues. Trim crest feathers blocking eyesight.

Climate: Tolerate cold IF DRY. Damp + cold = respiratory pneumonia. Avoid extreme heat.

Buying tips

  • Silkies must have 5 toes (extra toe on the inside of each foot). 4 toes = not pure.
  • Black skin, comb, wattles, and bones are required. Pink skin = crossbred.
  • Show-quality Silkies have full crests covering the comb and beards on females.
  • Bearded vs. non-bearded are both APA-recognized; bearded is more popular for show.

Did you know?

  • Black skin / black meat is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine (used in traditional medicine soups).
  • Silkies will hatch ANYTHING - duck eggs, turkey eggs, even pheasants. The breed equivalent of an Uber driver.
  • Their fluffy feathers lack the hooks that lock barbs together - which is why they look fuzzy.
  • One of the few chicken breeds with 5 toes (along with Dorking, Houdan, Faverolles, Sultan).

Related species

By age class

Browse this breed by stage of development: