Standard
Varieties of Chickens:
Silky Fowls
Silky fowls are not extensively bred in this
country, but in England are very popular. Their
soft, webless feathers when in prime condition, are
exceedingly loose and fluffy, standing out from the
body in all directions, giving the fowl the
appearance of a large bird, which their weight does
not justify. The cocks weigh from 2 ½ (1.1 kg) to 4
pounds (1.8 kg), while the weight of the hens is
from 2 (0.9 kg) to 2 ½ pounds (1.1 kg).
The birds are of rather square, compact Cochin
build; crested, the cock's crest running back
horizontally, while the hen's is globular;
five-toed; feather legged; rose comb, lumpy in
appearance and dark purple in color; earlobes, blue
or purple tinged with white; skin, violet,
approaching black, the covering of the bones being
of the same color; shanks, dark blue or black;
plumage, white and downy. Silkies lay a small egg of
a pale buff color, and lay 10 to 25 before wanting
to sit. They make excellent mothers and are very
valuable to hatch and rear the tender little ones of
the more delicate varieties.
FOR
FURTHER READING...
The following images come from the FeatherSite, "an on-line zoological garden of domestic poultry". The Silkie and Silkie Chicks
pages contain further information about this breed's
history and more images of these fowl.
Image Credits
(from left to right):
Courtesy of Barry Koffler;
Courtesy of Barry Koffler;
Courtesy of Barry Koffler;
Courtesy of Linda Brenner
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