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Silkie Chicken

The Silkie (also known as the Silky or Chinese silk chicken) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. The earliest surviving Western written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a ''furry'' chicken in the 13th century during his travels in Asia. They are often exhibited in poultry shows and also appear in various colors. In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. It is among the most docile of poultry. The breed is renowned for its broodiness and mothering abilities. Although they are fair layers themselves, laying only about three eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species due to their broody nature. A farm owner takes the white Silkie chicken by hand and shows his specialty that distinguishes him from other chickens at Hanspukuria, West Bengal, India on 20/05/2023. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

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