Last Updated on January 6, 2024
Who doesn’t love the lovely glance of beautiful chickens in the backyard every morning? The unique appearance of satin silkie chickens will make you gaze on this astonishing ornamental breed. This chicken breed first came into existence after the careful breeding of Cochin and silkie.
Satin Silkie chickens are not only distinctive in their physical appearance, but also in their feathering texture. With a variety of colors and feather patterns, these astounding birds are something beyond extraordinary. These fuzzy-looking chickens are everyone’s favorite worldwide.
It is noteworthy that Satins and Silkie are two different chicken varieties. Silkies first came into the poultry domain and from which the Satin is being developed as a project breed. Satin Silkie chickens have a much smoother feathering and are, no doubt, beautiful to look at.
If you’re someone looking to get these pretty birds in your backyard, it is important to get the complete know-how about Satin Silkie chickens. Apart from the carefully selected genetics, some prominent features distinguish them from other chickens.
We’re now seeing an increasing trend of rearing chickens among the states of the US. According to a recent survey, the population of chickens surpassed 60 million number. The top chicken population states are Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana, respectively.
The silky feathering is caused by a recessive gene, meaning that both parents must carry the gene for the offspring to inherit the trait
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Satin Silkie chickens have a long history, with the Silkie breed originating in China and first mentioned by Marco Polo in his Asian travelogues in 1298. |
| Feathering | Satin Silkie chickens have unique, silky feathers, which are a result of a recessive gene. This feathering sets them apart from regular chickens and is one of their most distinctive features. |
| Color | Satin Silkie chickens can be found in various colors, including black, blue, and white. |
| Size | They are known for their small size and friendly disposition. |
| Behavior | Satin Silkie chickens are known for their docile temperament and adaptability, making them popular pets or exhibition birds. |
| Care | Like any other chicken breed, Satin Silkies require proper housing, diet, and care to maintain their health and well-being. |
The Origin of Satin Silkie Chickens
If you’re wondering if Satin Silkie chickens are a new addition to the line of chicken breeds, this is certainly not the case. These chickens are here from the past centuries or maybe even earlier. One of the oldest mentions of these lovely birds by scholars is found in the 13th century.
Satin Silkie chickens are thought to be originated in China for the very first time. Some scholars even described this breed as chickens with cat-like hairs. This description somewhat matches the fuzzy physical appearance of Satin Silkie chickens.
As these chickens are a cross between Cochin and Silkie breeds, we now know much about their parents and grandparents. Through the breeding and selection from their original parents, the smooth feathers are the ones that identify the feature of these chickens.
Satin Silkies match much more to one of their parents, the silkie. Currently, there is genetic research going on in terms of describing them as a separate breed from Silkies. Originally, Satin Silkie chickens, according to the 14th edition of the American Bantam Association, are a bantam breed.
Physical Characteristics of Satin Silkie Chickens
The beauty of Satin Silkie chickens is admired by everyone and you’ll notice some of the most prominent features right away. The fuzzy appearance of Satin Silkie chickens is shown well from their walnut-shaped comb with a medium crest.
One distinctive thing about the crest in females is the more globular appearance. The soft and fluffy appearance of both males and females is due to their silkie feathering. Although Satin Silkie is a relatively small-sized breed, functioning barbicels are not present in it.
In terms of average weight, the recognized standard shows us that males usually weights up to 1 kg whereas females are of 900 g. In China, Satin Silkie chickens are known as black-boned chickens due to their black to bluish skin.
Apart from the silkie and frizzle feather types, satins are more popular and resemble more like traditional chickens. You might think how on earth this breed acquires the fluffy and curly feather appearance. Well, I have a simpler explanation for you.
The curling and fluffiness come from the introduction of a gene. This gene is created during careful breeding and selection to get the desired characteristics in today’s Satin Silkie chickens. Their eyes are bright and appear very dark in color and appearance.
Satin Silkie chickens possess a black to dark blue beak which is shorter and wider to look at. The tail of these lovely chickens has ample shredding at the tip with a shorter and broader back. The deep mulberry color of their comb and wattle is something extraordinary to look at.
Another feature that makes Satin Silkie chickens very special is that they are polydactyl. What this means is that they have a greater number of toes than other traditional chicken breeds. If you’re housing Satin Silkie chickens, you surely observe the extra 1 or 2 digits in their foot.
According to the American Bantam Association, black, buff, blue, gray, and pink are some of the recognized Satin Silkie chicken varieties. All of these features, combined with carefully selected genetics, compel you to bring Satin Silkie chickens to your backyard.
Behavior & Temperament of Satin Silkie Chickens
Although chicken owners are very much impressed by the features of Satin Silkie chickens, there is more to it. This is one of the prominent breeds to have an extremely friendly and docile nature. Their loving and playful behavior makes Satin Silkie a perfect ornamental chicken.
If you have children in your home, you might worry about how they interact with Satin Silkie chickens. As a veterinarian, one thing I can assure you is you don’t have to worry about it, as this is the friendliest breed for your other family members.
Satin Silkie chickens are easy to handle and tame because they don’t get agitated while sitting in your lap. The trust-building ability of this chicken breed is very pronounced, and that’s what makes Satin Silkie chickens easy to play with.
As Satin Silkies are an ornamental breed, the egg-laying behavior is not very pronounced in these birds. However, they do lay tan-colored eggs that are about the size of eggs laid by other traditional chicken breeds.
The broodiness of Satin Silkie chickens is instinctively very insistent. It is quite interesting to know that these chickens are being widely used by bird owners to brood other birds’ eggs. Seems interesting right? Satin Silkie chickens love to sit on eggs and increase their hatchability chances.
Studies have suggested that the Silkie chicken has been a model of melanoctye precursor and neural crest cell migration and proliferation in the developing embryo due to its extensive hyperpigmentation of dermal and connective tissues. The causal genetic variants for this trait have been identified as the sex-linked inhibitor of dermal melanin (Id) and autosomal fibromelanosis (Fm) genes. These genes control the trait, and their interaction determines the extent of pigmentation in the Silkie chicken.
Satin Silkie’s Housing Management
Apart from the requirements typically adopted for other chickens, Satin Silkies need special attention. When it decides whether you should keep them indoors or outdoors, keeping them in a free-range system is what benefits their health.
The environmental temperature tolerance of these chickens has a narrow spectrum due to the furry feather covering. If you’re living in a region with frequent rainfalls, you must cover their foraging area. Keeping them safe from the cold winds should be taken into consideration.
In terms of bedding material, always go for a nice and warm bedding option with a profound absorptive ability. Such bedding will also help them stay warm in the winter when the outside temperature goes beyond their tolerance limits.
I know you might think the Satin Silkie chickens should have high cold tolerance due to the fluffy feathers. But that is not the case if you get to know about their feather morphology. The upright and somewhat curling feathers don’t create the desired insulation leading to cold stress.
Maintaining ventilation of the chicken coop is something very crucial for the health of birds. The accumulation of high humidity will increase the chances of heat stress. Moreover, it renders the Satin Silkie chickens prone to respiratory issues.
Satin Silkie’s Diet Strategies
What you feed your chicken is the indicator of their productive performance. The diet of Satin Silkie chickens is more or less the same as other chickens depending on the stage of the bird. A crumble or mash feed in the early days provides the balanced nutrition they need.
As a veterinarian, I always advise you to start looking for high-quality feed. A well-formulated chicken feed is a perfect blend of all the necessary nutrients. For Satin Silkie chicks, a crumble or mash diet with a crude protein level of 21% is desirable.
The high crude protein is required by chicks to develop their internal organs and overall muscle mass. This requirement is no longer necessary once the chickens reach puberty and shift to growers’ and finishers’ feeds.
The percentage of crude protein most of the renowned feed processing industries used for adults is 18%. Special attention is paid to the ratio of minerals in the feed for laying hens. Therefore, it is mandatory to add some calcium and phosphorous supplements to the diet of chickens.
Chickens that are housed in the backyard are more likely to be pampered by the family. The treats such as fruits and other edibles should be kept at low-to-moderate levels. Satin Silkie chickens have a sensitive digestive tract and don’t tolerate well in high starch and sugar diets.
Protection and Caring Tips for Satin Silkies
The first and foremost thing I want to talk about is the grooming of Satin Silkie chickens. The extra-large crest on their head might shield them from the harmful sunlight, but there is a problem. This crest makes them unable to properly see and locate food and other predators.
If you want to consider a nice and gentle trimming of your Satin Silkies, it is safe to do it a few times a year. Their feet are also totally covered with feathers and are a favorite place for mud and waste to stick and accumulate.
There are some diseases in the domain of poultry that just affect every chicken on the planet. Maintaining proper hygiene with regular cleaning is the most important way to keep them healthy.
The cleanliness is not only limited to the sheds and coops but also the feeding. Living in rainy areas brings humidity and fungal growth inside the feed. Do regularly check and also make fresh water available to Satin Silkies all the time.
Some of the major factors that immunocompromise your chickens are stress and poor management. These factors depress the overall immunity and make your chickens prone to other diseases easily.
Poultry experts recommend paying special attention to their feathers and body in terms of external parasite infestation. The upright feather pattern allows lice and mites to easily harbor the body of Satin Silkie chickens.
Final Thoughts
Satin Silkie is truly one of the most adorable chickens you can keep. The beauty of these chickens outshines through their amazing feathers and appearance. Satin Silkie chickens need tender love and special requirements to be raised and get playful.
Satin Silkie chickens are very broody and have the friendliest nature. They get easily socialized with the other chicken breeds and can live with them without any issues. You’ll b amazed to see them scratch the ground in your backyard and make noises.
With proper care and management, Satin Silkie chickens can be your top-notch pet option. They are worth keeping and are a great addition to your chicken flock. With that being said, you’re now ready to bring this beautiful ornamental breed into your backyard.
FAQs
From where should I purchase Satin Silkie chicks?
If you’re planning to give Satin Silkies a go, I advise you to always look for reputable hatcheries and breeders in your area. You can easily find such breeders and contact them for the chicks’ availability. Be sure to visit your vet for an initial health checkup after purchase.
Are Satin Silkie chickens hard to keep in a backyard setting?
Satin Silkie chickens are some of the nicest breeds with amazing socialization and environmental tolerance. By following efficient chicken-rearing protocols, I don’t think they are problematic to keep. Just take care of their feeding and living practices and you’re good to go.
Research References
Dorshorst, Ben, Ron Okimoto, and Chris Ashwell. “Genomic regions associated with dermal hyperpigmentation, polydactyly and other morphological traits in the Silkie chicken.” Journal of Heredity 101.3 (2010): 339-350.
I am a Veterinarian by profession having 3 years of experience in raising poultry flocks. So far my number of successful flocks is 9. I am sharing all my experience about poultry farming with you so that you can make this profession your bread and butter. Stay Tuned with my latest post.