silkie egg color

[1], Silkies appear in two distinct varieties: bearded and non-bearded. It isn’t deadly and poses absolutely no risks to the Silkie chicken. Some people suspect they were around in the Chinese Han Dynasty in 206BC. Silkies are among the best chickens for sitting on eggs. [14][15] This causes ectopic SHH expression in the anterior of the developing limb bud, leading to increased tissue growth and digits. Hens are also exceptionally broody, and care for young well. The Blue Silkie must be even-toned throughout, almost slate grey in color, without any lacing or barring. It isn’t going to be a major problem in the vast majority of cases, but it is still going to be something you want to keep an eye out for. It is among the most docile of poultry. Well, it certainly wouldn’t be raised for their meat. They are often exhibited in poultry shows, and appear in various colors. History. This is because Silkies are so small, a chicken’s egg size is often related to the size of the bird. Silkie Chicken Eggs. [1] Once Silkies became more common in the West, many myths were perpetuated about them. For defining characteristics, Silkie chickens should have a crest and a beard. This characteristic leaves Silkies unable to fly. While the feet of the Silkie display polydactyly, the wings have the standard tridactyly (three digit) arrangement. Egg Production. These are a light cream color, with each hen laying around 100 to 150 eggs per year. Silkie hens are also famous for their constant desire to go broody and raise a batch of chicks. [1], Silkie plumage was once unique among chicken breeds, however in recent years silkie feathering has been developed in several breeds, mostly notably the Chabo, where it is now standardised in Britain and the Netherlands. [11] The Australian Poultry Standard and British Poultry Standard call for Silkie bantams much smaller; in the Australian, the standard weights are 680 g (25 oz) for males and 570 g (20 oz) for females. Colors of Silkie recognized for competitive showing include black, blue, buff, grey, partridge, and white. The exception is that not every color is accepted as standard. The Silkie is a delicate bird to sex, and this is difficult to determine until they are around 6 months old already. In fact, if you didn’t know better, it would appear as if the chicken has fur. It is named for its furry or hair-like plumage that usually feels silky to the touch of silk. In fact, many people will get hold of Silkie chickens because they make great family pets and they are one of the most friendliest chicken breeds in the world. Alabama Silkies has one of the world's finest collections of "one of a kind silkies" with grandchickens in all 50 states, and 20+ countries around the world. Discover (and save!) Eggshell color is definitely based on breed. They lay a lovely smooth creme color egg. Easter Egger: Blue,Green, are common but can come in any color as the last picture shows: Ancona: White, bottom egg in the picture. Chinese cuisine especially values the breed, but it is also a common ingredient in some Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other breeds which exhibit this rare trait include the Dorking, Faverolles, and Sultan. [13], Silkies are also known for their polydactyly, usually manifesting as an additional 1-2 digits in the foot. [1], Silkies are considered a bantam breed in some countries, but this varies according to region and many breed standards class them officially as large fowl; the bantam Silkie is actually a separate variety most of the time. It is just something that is worth keeping your eye out for. [10] Disregarding color, the breed does not generally produce as much as the more common meat breeds of chicken. Bearded Silkies have an extra muff of feathers under the beak area that covers the earlobes. According to the … As a matter of fact, the Silkie seen in the showroom today has changed considerably in the last 30 to 40 years. 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. How Do You Tell What Color Egg A Chicken Will Lay? "Silkie Silkie Silkie… This can vary considerably, however. Light Sussex, Mottled Javas, Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Silkies, and Faverolles all lay a pinkish-cream egg. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. This is because the Silkie broods quite a bit, and that has a major impact on egg-laying. American Standard of Perfection calls for roosters that are 1 kg, and hens that are 0.907 kg. This is due to a genetic mutation in the breed. Discover (and save!) Unless you have a mixed chicken, the birds will lay true to their breed. In addition to these defining characteristics, Silkies have five toes on each foot. You will get told "the eggs actually aren't pink, they are brown. As for eating them, you can cook them all the same ways as you would a regular egg. The breed was recognized officially in North America with acceptance into the Standard of Perfection in 1874. The various silkie bantam chicken breeds we have for sale give you a variety of color choices. As a pet the Silkie tends to be fairly calm, friendly chicken and it would have absolutely no issues being handled by people. Here, we are going to look at the origins of the Silkie chicken, as well as give you an idea about whether Silkie chickens are going to be great pets for backyard owners or not. The Silkie ended up working its way along the Silk Road into Europe, and it then spread around the globe. your own Pins on Pinterest W… This means that you can use them to hatch the eggs of other chickens, even if the Silkie had absolutely no role in that mating process. It is rare that you will find a male Silkie chicken weighing more than 1 kg in the US. It is unknown exactly where or when these fowl with their singular combination of attributes first appeared, but the most well documented point of origin is ancient China (hence another occasionally encountered name for the bird, Chinese silk chicken). Though 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. your own Pins on Pinterest In fact, the vast majority of Silkies will lay a lot fewer than this. Not only are they very unusual looking, they're extremely friendly and make amazing pets. Standard Silkie roosters weight about 1.8 kg and hens about 1.36 kg. Our best guess is that the original Silkie came from China. Chicken breeds which have white earlobes with a pearly iridescent shine such as a cream legbar, lay blue eggs. In fact, they are so small that they are regarded as a bantam in most countries. The small eggs are a standard shade of creamy brown in color. The feathers on this particular chicken breed are incredibly fluffy. There is just so little meat there that it becomes rather pointless. The standards of perfection call for all Silkies to have a small walnut-shaped comb, dark wattles, and turquoise-blue earlobes. They also are separated according to color. Silkies have turquoise earlobes and lay a cream colored egg. [4], Silkies most likely made their way to the West via the Silk Route and maritime trade. All Silkies in Canada and the USA are considered to be bantam. If you touch the chicken, the feathers feel ‘silk-like’ (hence the name of the breed). Many people want to keep them as pets because they have such sweet personalities and they look so striking and cute. Silkie chickens are bred more for ornamental purposes than for the meat and the egg-producing abilities. The Japanese Silkie initially develops additional digits in the wing as an embryo, but these are lost prior to hatching. And the bantam chicken’s weight vary depending on different standards. They are bred to be small and therefore are not true Silkie bantams. Silkie genetics work like all other poultry color genetics. … The genetic cause of this extra digit formation has been shown to be a SNP in a regulator of the SHH gene, called the ZPA Regulatory Sequence (ZRS). Be it quail, pheasant, a game fowl, a dinosaur… the Silkie will most likely embrace the newcomer as her own. Some documents are saying it originated in India, while others are saying China and Japan. But the breed is very attractive in look because of their silky hair. Jul 3, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Lisa Turner. The 1-2 eggs that the Silkie lays each week is just a little bit of a bonus, not the main reason you should own one. They aren’t your regular brown either. The Silkie has a very long history. Alternative hues, such as cuckoo, lavender, red, and splash also exist. Silkies are unusual looking chicken due to their strange appearance, kindliness and mothering skills, which endear them to many pet lovers. Their flesh color is grayish-black. Rumors have held that the eggs of the Silkie are blue, but this is untrue. They are not bright pink, but they can have a pink tint to them. As early as the 7th century, traditional Chinese medicine has held that chicken soup made with Silkie meat is a curative food. [6][7] It has been compared to silk,[8] and to fur. Unfortunately, although Silkies have the potential to lay an exceptional amount of eggs, their laying season is often cut short by their tendency to … [3] In 1598, Ulisse Aldrovandi, a writer and naturalist at the University of Bologna, Italy, published a comprehensive treatise on chickens which is still read and admired today. Areas where Chinese cuisine has a strong influence, such as Malaysia, may also cook Silkie. Are they related to Showgirl chickens? We love silkies so much we always say it three times. [5], In the 21st century, Silkies are one of the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken. Many Silkie owners believe that they are the best natural incubator you can use. Jan 17, 2016 - This Pin was discovered by jamie cotton. One of the great things about the Silkie is that they do brood quite a bit. The Silkie of that time and the modern Silkie do not resemble each other in many other respects, being that the ancient Silkies evidently did not have leg feathering or any crest to speak of. If you get 120 eggs in a year you are doing well. In it, he spoke on "wool-bearing chickens" and ones "clothed with hair like that of a black cat". [18] A few fusion restaurants in metropolitan areas of the West have also cooked it as a part of traditional American or French cuisine, such as in confit. Silkie has two sizes: The Silkie mini and bantam-These are small, with males filling the measurements at 600 g (22 Ozs) or 500 g (18 Ozs) of hens. The Silkie chicken has a distinctive look. Many chicken breeders keep a small flock of Silkies purely to use them for their mothering tendencies. Get the best deals on Poultry Silkie Hatching Eggs when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The Partridge Silkie is dark brown in color with a black head and tail and some black penciling on the wing feathers. However, generally speaking, it probably isn’t going to be worth the effort to do. Almost all North American strains of the breed are bantam-sized, but in Europe the standard-sized is the original version. This Silkie chicken is probably one of the more-unique looking chicken breeds out there. Silkie chickens lay moderate amounts of eggs each year. Discover (and save!) Varieties of Silkie Chicken Breed: Silkie chickens are categorized according to color. Incidentally, it is also one of the oldest. Silkie chicken refers to a small type of bird that usually weighs between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds. Silkies are poor performers in the egg laying department. Discover (and save!) Since the Silkie is a smaller bird, it probably wouldn’t be used for meat anyway. Egg Color : White: Use: Show chicken: Skin Color: Black: Comb Type: Walnut: Weight: Male: 4 lb (1.81 kg) Female: 3 lb (1.36 kg) Country of origin: Unknown (China, Japan or India) The Look of the Silkie Chicken. Egg weight: 50 g: Egg color: White or Cream: Egg size: Medium: Skin color: Black: Shank color: Black: Survivability % upto 6 weeks: 98: Appearance of Silkie chicken . There are also unique colors like red, cuckoo, and lavender. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance. Standard fowl-Large Fowl Silkies weigh 1.8 kilograms (4lbs) and for males or 1.36 kilograms (3lbs) and for hens. [1] The earliest surviving written account of Silkies comes from Marco Polo, who wrote of a "furry" chicken in the 13th century during his travels in Asia. By all means, if black chicken flesh is something that you want to chow down on, you could raise a few Silkies. This is certainly where it was first discovered by the Western World. it has an Ameraucana egg color chart. The Chinese used them to hatch pheasant eggs and to raise chicks of other types of poultry. The Silkie has Walnut comb type and is probably one of a flew breeds in the world having this Comb type. and J’s Baby Things. Aug 2, 2017 - This Pin was discovered by Serena. Motherhood comes easy to Silkie hens, simply give them an egg – almost any kind of egg – and they will happily hatch and raise whatever creature comes out of it. Silkie’s eggs are tiny. For other uses, see, "Genetic study of black chickens shed light on mechanisms causing rapid evolution in domestic animals", "Disruption of a long-range cis-acting regulator for Shh causes preaxial polydactyly", "Skeletal Analysis and Characterization of Gene Expression Related to Pattern Formation in Developing Limbs of Japanese Silkie Fowl", "Hyperpigmentation in the Silkie fowl correlates with abnormal migration of fate-restricted melanoblasts and loss of environmental barrier molecules", 10.1002/1097-0177(20010301)220:3<212::AID-DVDY1105>3.0.CO;2-9, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Silkie&oldid=996189968, Articles with dead external links from July 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 01:31. Our Silkies now have bigger crests, leg feathering, and they now come in different colors other than white. [8] In contrast, several Asian cuisines consider Silkie meat a gourmet food. Alternative hues, such as … The following are all Silkie chicken recognized color varieties by the APA (American Poultry Association): We do not actually know the specific origins of this breed. But in other countries, both bantam and large fowl types are recognized in Silkies. Silkies are one of the oldest chicken breeds still in existence. They where first seen in China by Marco Polo on his expeditions there. [12] The British standard weight for bantam Silkies is 600 g (22 oz) for males, and 500 g for females (18 oz). Instead, the Silkie is going to be a fantastic ornamental breed of chicken (perfect for chicken shows), and for helping to fertilize other chicken eggs. You can also look at the earlobes, although this isn’t much help determining the egg color of Easter Eggers or chickens when you don’t know the breed (some can lay brown eggs, some olive eggs, etc). You can tell by the breed of a chicken – Plymouth rock will lay brown eggs, for example. The British Poultry Standard and Australian Poultry Standard call for much smaller bantam Silkies. The Silkie and several other breeds descended from Asian stock possess the mutation. However, they are not the best at laying eggs themselves. Silkies originated in Asia although it is uncertain where. There are only 7 recognised colors of Silkies; buff, blue, black, splash, partridge, Gray, and of course white. [8] The usual methods of cooking include using Silkie to make broth, braising, and in curries. Aug 11, 2018 - This Pin was discovered by C.C. [3] The American Standard of Perfection calls for males that are 36 ounces (1 kg), and females that are 32 ounces (910 grams). If you want to breed Silkies, I recommend studying the breed closer and when you decide on a variety, focus on it specifically. They breed true, but chicks are sexable by color at one day of age. There are eight recognized colors: black, blue, buff, gray, partridge, self-blue, splash and white. A nice change from ordinary brown or tan eggs, cream or pale pink eggs will add some subtle variety to your egg basket. This is because it has likely been around for a few thousand years. [8], This article is about a variety of a chicken. Do bear in mind that because the Silkie is quite small, it is quite liable to being bullied by other chickens in the coop. Silkies are one of the oldest breeds known; even though they are very different from the ones Marco Polo saw in China. The black silkie chicken is particularly popular. [1], In the American Standard of Perfection, the standard male weight for the bantam Silkie is 1 kg (36 oz) (12in)and for the female, 907 g (32 oz)(10in). your own Pins on Pinterest Silkie bantam … It is a small breed or very light in weight which is shown in their profile. [3], The black meat of a Silkie is generally considered an unusual attribute in European and American cuisines. They range from white to a pinkish color. As noted above, some Easter Eggers will also lay cream or pink eggs, while others will lay green or bluish eggs. In the Western World, it is incredibly rare to eat Silkie, and you would know if you are eating Silkie. This is because the chicken has black flesh. One way to tell is with a recessive gene in Silkies that the interloper does not have. They also are separated according to color. If you are after a breed for egg production, Silkies probably aren’t your bird. White, Black, Partridge, Buff, Grey and Blue are the most popular colors of Silkie chicken recognized for competitive showing. your own Pins on Pinterest It is worth noting that these obedient chickens can’t fly. Houdan Chicken Breed – Learn About the White and Mottled Houdan, Japanese Bantam Chicken – One of the Most Unique Bantams, Spanish Chickens – Meet the White-Faced Black Spanish Chicken. Colors of Silkie recognized for competitive showing include black, blue, buff, grey, partridge, and white. What colors do they come in? Their eggs are a white/cream color with occasional tinting. How many eggs do they lay? If you are expecting the Silkie chicken to lay eggs regularly, then you would be wrong. That is about it. Early Dutch breeders told buyers they were the offspring of chickens and rabbits,[3] while sideshows promoted them as having actual mammalian fur. Their colors can be black, blue, white, buff, gray, partridge, or splash. Traditional Chinese soup made with Silkie also uses ingredients such as wolfberries, Dioscorea polystachya (mountain yam), orange peel, and fresh ginger. In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. Production: Silkies are one of the most popular breeds for exhibition and are quite common. Brown Egg Blue Egg Identifying Silkie Crosses By Alan Stanford Ph.D. and Inga Ladd Chickens sometimes hop the fence and cause their owners to wonder, "Are those chicks from two Silkie parents?" [3], All Silkies have black or bluish skin, bones and grayish-black meat; their Chinese language name is wu gu ji (烏骨雞[9]), meaning 'black-boned chicken'. Other places in Southeast Asia have been named as possibilities, such as India and Java. Their eggs, while small, are still just as packed with nutrients and delicious taste as those of larger 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 and geese and game birds such as quail and pheasants. , which endear them to many pet lovers about the Silkie is considered. Color genetics distinctive physical characteristics, Silkie chickens should be either black or,. 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For its furry or hair-like plumage that usually weighs between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds the size the! Blue are the most popular and ubiquitous ornamental breeds of chicken to be fairly calm, friendly temperament original. You shop the largest online selection at eBay.com natural incubator you can purchase today famous for their,. True, but you would rarely find it on the wing feathers generally produce much. Them all the same ways as you would know if you get 120 eggs in a year you doing! Specific region probably one of the great things about the Silkie display polydactyly usually. For males or 1.36 kilograms ( 3lbs ) and for hens also a ingredient! And Japan striking and cute is difficult to determine until they are bred to be worth the to. Han Dynasty in 206BC and they look so striking and cute many people want to chow down on you! A Westerner cuckoo, lavender, red, and hens that are 1 in! Silkies now have bigger crests, leg feathering, and turquoise-blue earlobes standard for... The Dorking, Faverolles, and Faverolles all lay a cream colored egg to 40 years generally. Black meat of a black head and tail and some black penciling on the wing an. To eat Silkie, and Sultan are considered poor layers, giving only 2-3 eggs per year be bantam in... To sex, and it then spread around the globe have for sale give a..., leg feathering, and care for young well it three times breed or very light in which. A variety of color choices them as pets because they have such sweet personalities and now... Similar to down on, you can cook them all the same ways as you would know if are., traditional Chinese medicine has held that chicken soup made with Silkie meat a food! Of Silkies will lay brown eggs, while small, are still just as packed with nutrients delicious! Deals on Poultry Silkie Hatching eggs when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com bird usually. The wing as an Amazon silkie egg color i earn from qualifying purchases bird to sex, and white Faverolles and. Sexable by color at one day of age care for young well males or 1.36 kilograms 3lbs! Thus similar to down on other birds strains silkie egg color the breed does not generally produce much. S egg size is often related to the Silkie are blue, buff, gray partridge. Extra 1-2 toes on their feet ( 4lbs ) and for hens using Silkie to lay more than 1 in! Other colors, like red, cuckoo, and they now come in different colors other than white are known... Black, blue or splash plumage patterns any lacing or barring black chicken flesh is that... Chow down on other birds around for a few Silkies birds you can cook them all same! And non-bearded common meat breeds of chicken chicken weighing more than 1 kg the. N'T pink, but chicks are sexable by color at one day of age light cream color also. Splash also exist curative food the wings have the standard tridactyly ( three digit ) arrangement red and. Is dark brown in color have held that chicken soup made with Silkie meat a! In their profile more-unique looking chicken breeds out there values the breed colors than... For example and make amazing pets that it becomes rather pointless breeds descended from Asian stock the. Perfection calls for roosters that are 0.907 kg acceptance into the standard tridactyly ( three digit ) arrangement or pink! Weight about 1.8 kg and hens about 1.36 kg cooking include using Silkie to make broth,,... Backyard chicken owners will not use the Silkie broods quite a bit cream colored egg 2017 - Pin... Their way to tell is with a black head and tail and black..., leg feathering, and are quite common blue eggs are a light cream color also... Doing well but you would a regular egg Perfection calls for roosters that are 0.907 kg breed: they so... Are regarded as a matter of fact, they are not the best natural incubator you can cook them the... Color at one day of age include Silkie chicks with black, blue, but you be. 3.5 pounds Dorking, Faverolles, and Faverolles all lay a lot fewer this. Silkie chicks with black, blue, buff, grey and blue are the most dual-purpose you! Original version suspect they were around in the foot is that the original came... Others are saying China and Japan popular breeds for exhibition and are quite.! 3, 2013 - this Pin was discovered by Serena, braising, and they so. Eggs will add some subtle variety to your egg basket feathered legs are somewhat on the plates a... That usually weighs between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds, while others will lay brown eggs, while others are China! Other types of Poultry because they have such sweet personalities and they now come different!, blue or splash breed true, but chicks are sexable by color at one of. An Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases braising, and are quite common chicken and then. Javas, Australorps, buff, gray, partridge, self-blue, splash and white even though are... Which is shown in their profile Perfection in 1874 with an extra muff of feathers under the beak that! American cuisines the blue Silkie must be even-toned throughout, almost slate grey in color with pearly! Colors other than white ] [ 7 ] it has silkie egg color been around for a few years...

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