So, it appears to be that time again where we choose another breed of chicken and crown it ‘chicken of the month!’
This month see’s the Silkie Chicken take the title. This breed of chicken is named the Silkie Chicken for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like a ball of silk. Not only this, the breed has several unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens have four. They are a common breed at poultry shows and appear in many various colours.
In addition to this, Silkie Chickens are known for their calm, friendly temperament and are considered an ideal pet for any home. Silkie Hens are also considered incredibly broody and make great mothers. Though they are fair layers themselves, laying around 3 eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species. It’s not fully known where the Silkie Chicken first appeared, but its most well documented point of origin is ancient China. Other places in South East Asia have been named as possibilities such as India and Java. In the 21st century, Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken. They are often kept as ornamental fowl or pet chickens by backyard keepers, and are also commonly used to incubate and raise the offspring of other chickens and waterfowl like ducks, geese and game birds such a quail and pheasants.
So i’m sure we can all agree that they are extremely impressive, and can surely appreciate why they are a firm favourite with chicken fanciers the world over. We here at Get Laid Beds certainly favour this chicken and that is why the Silkie chicken is our ‘chicken of the month’ for July.
