Are Silkies Good Pets? What to Know Before You Get Silkie Chickens

Silkies are one of the most popular pet chickens in the world, and for good reason. They're soft, calm and famously friendly. They also have a few quirks that are good to know before you bring some home.

Why people love silkies

• Gentle personalities. Most silkies are calm and easy to pick up, especially when they're handled from a young age.
• Great with families. Their size and sweet nature make them a favorite with kids. Teach children to hold them gently, with a hand under the body.
• Small and quiet. Silkie hens are small and much quieter than most breeds, which makes them a good fit for backyards.
• That fluff. Their hair-like feathers feel like a soft pillow, and they come in lots of colors.

What to expect from a silkie

Eggs

Silkie hens lay small, cream-colored eggs, usually about two to three a week when they're laying. They're not a high-production breed, so if lots of eggs is your main goal, they may not be the best pick.

Broodiness

Silkies are famous for going broody: a hen will sit on eggs, sometimes even with no eggs at all, and stop laying for a few weeks. Broody silkies make wonderful mothers, and many keepers use them to hatch other breeds. If you don't want chicks, gently remove her from the nest and collect eggs daily.

They can't fly

Silkie feathers lack the tiny hooks that hold normal feathers together, so silkies can't fly. That means low roosts or none at all, and a ramp into the coop.

They aren't waterproof

The same feathers soak up water. A wet silkie gets cold fast, so they need a covered, dry space to get out of the rain.

The crest can block their view

A big, fluffy crest can cover a silkie's eyes. Speak softly as you approach so you don't startle them. Some keepers trim the feathers around the eyes so their birds can see better.

Health

Silkies are especially prone to Marek's disease, a common chicken virus. Buy vaccinated chicks when you can. All FancyFlock chicks are vaccinated for Marek's.

How many silkies should I get?

Chickens are flock animals and get lonely and stressed alone. Plan on at least three. Silkies are also best kept with other gentle breeds or with each other, since larger, pushier chickens may bully them.

Space and housing

• A dry, draft-free, predator-proof coop with hardware cloth, not chicken wire
• A covered run, so they stay dry and safe from hawks
• A dry, shady spot to dust bathe
• Low roosts and a ramp

What about roosters?

Silkie roosters are usually sweet, but they do crow. Many cities, counties and HOAs limit roosters or chickens in general, so check your local rules first. Silkie chicks are usually sold straight run (unsexed), so plan for what you'll do if you end up with a rooster. Our guide on how to tell silkie hens from roosters can help.

How long do silkies live?

With good care, silkies often live 7 to 9 years, and some live longer. They're a real commitment, and many become part of the family.