They're often kept in backyards, where there isn't such an imperative to … Post Apr 01, 2008 #3 2008-04-01T18:34. Silkie chickens live between 7-9 years on average. If you’re looking for a breed of chicken that will be a great pet as well as an egg layer, Silkies are one of the best choices. Silkies will lay around 100 eggs a year if they have everything they need. Sharisr32. WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON AND AFFILIATED SITES.PRIVACY POLICY - THIS WEBSITES MAKES USE OF ANALYTICS, ADVERTISING AND AFFILIATE PROGRAMS WHICH USE COOKIES. This basically means providing a stress-free environment. There is no doubt that the Silkie is a very old breed, probably of Chinese origin. 1 Answer. READ THE FULL DISCLAIMER.GDPR - THIS SITE DOES NOT COLLECT OR STORE ANY INFORMATION. WE COLLECT NO PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE DATA ON OR FROM OUR VISITORS. How Long Do Chickens Live in the Wild? How long do bantam roosters live? They share a unique combination of genetic and behavioral features. ), but they have some unique characteristics. Apr 22, 2020 - Want to know how long do chickens live? We can understand how they pulled that off. Chickens are exposed to many more risks when they have to fend for themselves. Silkies have 5 toes – Chickens have 4 toes, right? Silkie chickens are a bantam (smaller) breed of chicken that are known for their fluffy, adorable feathers. Lifespan A standard silkie chicken will generally live between 7-9 years, however this does all depend on the care given to them. Factors That Impact Life Expectancy of Silkies, Some Interesting Facts About Silkie Chickens, How to deal with roaches in your chicken’s coop, How many nesting boxes needed per chicken. Question: At what age can you start to determine the sex of a … Their feathers are extremely soft and satin like and lovely to strok… That was a bantam but as a rule they have the same lifespan as a a large fowl cockerel. Related content – where are chicken’s ears located? The breed and type of chicken can play a major part in the life span. Join Yahoo Answers and get … Copyright © 2020 | ChickenAndChicksInfo.com | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This will not come as a surprise, it’s the same for us! An alternative name for this bird is the Chinese Silk Chicken. (Yes, and Super-Tasty! Silkies, like other chickens, can live for 4-8 years, when kept in ideal conditions and fed correctly. Hens have not always been ‘pets’. Their extra digit doesn’t look like it belongs on their foot, but it’s there. There bones and skin are also black or dark bluish. My oldest ever silkies was an 11 year old cockerel. I have never seen a hen lay eggs after 7 years of age.You will likely get 3 to 5 eggs a week from healthy young bantams in their first two years but this will taper off over time.Eggs tend to get larger over the years and a bantam that is 5 or 6 years old may only lay 20 to 30 eggs in spring. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY LIABILITY ARISING FORM SUCH ERRORS, OMISSIONS, LOST OF DATA, INTERRUPTIONS OR DELAYS OR ANY ONGOING OBLIGATION OR RESPONSIBILITY TO OPERATE THIS WEBSITE OR IN THE PROVISION OF ITS SERVICES. Always check the food you’re going to share with them is safe, however. Not only are they the cutest chickens (in my opinion, but look at those images! When Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Before you invest, make sure the Silkie will fit in with your family and your environment. 444. Being small birds, Silkies don’t need as much room as other chickens. But there’s no denying they are one of the most interesting looking chickens, and being so social, fluffy, and easy to look after, it’s hard to resist adding these to your flock. One of the most important things is a nesting box, so they have somewhere safe to lay their eggs. Silkies’ feathers don’t have barbs – The reason they’re so fluffy is that their feathers don’t have barbs. Another interesting characteristic about them is that their meat is a grayish-black. And, they’re typically very quiet. Categories : Chickens 101, Kids' Corner Tags : a and animals backyard-poultry benefits best cheese chicken chicken-coop chicken-poop chicken-roost clicker-training coop cut does dogs eggs essential-oils experience for free house-chicken how in indoor-pet-chicken kitchen long make most outside owning-chickens perfect pet-chicken poop pots poultry raising roosting-bar that the to what whole Some Silkies have been known to live longer, so give them a little extra TLC and you’ll have their love for many years to come! He was blind in one eye and his crow was like a croak. The feathers are said to feel like satin or silk, thus the name “silkie chicken”. You should speak with your vet about care specific to the breed and age of your chooks. As hens age they will naturally start laying fewer eggs with many hens slowing down production around 6 or 7 years of age and retirement shortly after. When you start keeping backyard chickens, make some calls and do some research to find a vet in your area that specializes in poultry. Just remember to round them up at night so they can sleep safely in their coop. It is said that the Silkie was brought to Europe about 200 years ago, where Dutch breeders apparently told prospective buyers that they were a crossbreed of rabbits and chickens. Because the silkies can’t defend themselves and all the fluff around their heads can cause them to not see well which is why you have to ensure the coop is predator proof or at least in a predator proof coop. If they could survive predators, hunger and other life threatening events, they could actually live 2-4 years at most. You’ll need at least one box per 4-5 Silkies, and some nice soft bedding in it for the eggs to sit on. For the most part, they are kept as an ornamental breed. However, they are very fond of mealworms and corn. Buy freshly milled organic chicken feed shipped direct from the fields of the midwest. In the mid to late 1800… Bantams as a rule lay fewer eggs per week than traditional laying hens but are productive for 5 or so years. Get your answers by asking now. In 2003, a group of Japanese researchers mapped the mitochondrial DNA of a Silkie to determine the breed’s genetic position in … Make sure they have fresh drinking water available at all times. Silkie.org is supported by its readers. Heritage hens live about eight years. Silkie En All You Need To Know. So, plenty of space to roam, other hens to socialize with, clean and airy coop, and so on. You should provide at least 8” of the coop for every chick in your flock. You certainly wouldn’t rush the decision to rescue a dog without considering the lifelong commitment, and a chicken should not be regarded any differently. Well, Silkies have 5 toes on each foot. Well, Silkies do have feathers, but they don’t have the barbicels that hold most feathers together. Mine do fine and it got 5 below here. They also have black skin, bones and dark meat. READ OUR FULL PRIVACY POLICY.DISCLAIMER - I MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE IS ACCURATE, MAINTAINED TO A HIGH STANDARD AND UP TO DATE. Invest in the best feeder and water drinkers you can. Related content – How to deal with roaches in your chicken’s coop. This typically means bits of fruits and vegetables. If you’re new to keeping chickens, they’re one of the easiest to get started with. These chickens caught the eye of the early explorer. Still have questions? Silkie chickens have 5 toes on each foot – a normal chicken has 4!- and the outer two toes are usually feathered. Silkie chickens are famous for their tendency to go broody. Provide a quality chicken feed once a day, and add some fresh fruit and veg or table scraps to their diet as you learn more about what they like and don’t like. It’s always good to have a point of contact in case of an emergency.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',107,'0','0'])); Related content – Why is my chicken screaming so much? To supplement their diet and make sure they’re getting some variation and other vitamins and minerals you can share table scraps with them. Especially how healthy and happy they’ll be along the way too. TREATS - Silkie chickens love to eat, and aren’t really fussy about what they’re scoffing! For competitive showing, however, the colors of Silkies that are recognized by the show boards are: Perfect show standards also call for all Silkies to have turquoise earlobes, dark wattles, and a small walnut-shaped comb. A common breed, the silkie is a true bantam meaning that they are only available in bantam (miniature) size. A healthy chicken can live almost 10 years, which is longer than a Great Dane! When you purchase through links on our site, I may earn an affiliate commission. On an average the life span of these breed of roosters and cockerels ranges from four years to eight years. Answer Save. Why Aren’t Eggs Refrigerated in Europe? While 7-9 years is the average lifespan, there are some factors that affect how long a chicken will live for. This is known as polydactyly. The average wild chicken will only live for about a year or two, if that. Keeping chickens can be quite expensive if you buy all the equipment new, but with a little creativity and scrounging around, you can do it for next to nothing. Many laying hens can live several years into retirement with average life expectancy between 8 and 10 years. There are some rare instances where they have lived beyond ten years. Hence, if you want to increase the life span of these beautiful birds, there are a few obvious things that one should bear in … Silkies come in a wide variety of colors. (Strange But True), Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat? Silkies are very maternal – They are great at sitting on eggs, and will even sit on other birds’ eggs for them. Don’t forget grit. Silkie En All You Need To Know. This is something that often surprises new chicken owners, but chickens – and this includes Silkies – don’t have teeth. On the topic of illness, the standard of healthcare you provide your chickens has a huge impact on their life expectancy. You can really see them standing out on the white Silkies. 10 years ago. When a bird preens, it is clicking the tiny barbicels together, so their feathers stay in place and look neat and orderly. That’s life. It’s how you handle it and the preventative measures in place that limit the risk. They have a very sweet nature and calm temperament too, which is always a plus when you’re keeping a chicken as a pet. They are very social, so if you want to spend time with them, they’ll be happy to spend time with you, too. Unlike other chickens, silkie feathers aren’t held together by barbs. Do this for a about 10 days or so! Good luck. They actually produce cream color eggs, and typically lay about 100 in a year. Silkies have black bones and skin – You might never see a Silkie’s bones, but you can see their skin around their face, legs, and if you part their feathers. Silkies really are one of the best chickens to keep as a pet. You can do this by either setting up a run or enclosing a space in your yard. As I mentioned above, diet is one of the most important factors that affect how long and how healthy life your chickens will have. While chickens are generally healthy animals, there are some things we need to do to prevent disease. My 'at-a-glance' guide describes this loveable breed, and what you need to provide if you're going to live together in harmony. Lets face it, most chickens look the same; they are either a brown or a speckled bird with little or no intelligence. Silkie chickens and roosters live for 4 to 8 years and the sexes have a broadly similar life expectancy. Our neighbor, Sue, has twenty years experience with backyard hens, and once she told us that she figured their average lifespan ended up being about 5 years. they live around 6 yrs they lay for most of their lives but it decreases around 2-3 yrs . You need to whatch if it snow because their feathers around their feet can get packed with snow, as all feather footed chicken can get. Those of you who landed here that don’t already have Silkies, I bet you now know you want to keep this wonderful breed of chicken, right? Silkie chickens certainly don’t look like your average chicken due to their lack of feathers. I have kept over 100 roosters over the years and the oldest one I had was the Colonel, a silkie that lived to 13. Today's Farm Vlog, we show you how we hatch chicken eggs & which incubator is our favorite for hatching eggs on the homestead. After all, they will be more likely to fall victim to predators and the elements than if they were being raised in captivity. But they're not suitable for every kind of climate. It’s easy to give chickens a well-balanced diet nowadays, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Sometimes spelled “silky”, the silkie chicken is quite a unique looking chicken! How long do Silkie Hens and roosters live for, and how long do silkie hens lay for? If you have experience looking after backyard chickens, it’ll be a breeze. Cross a Silkie with other harder feathered breeds to get a reliable broody. Sharisr32. Barbs are the thick strands holding feathers in line. How Long Do Silkie Ens Live. Both from a temperament and a companion perspective. First of all you need space for them to live. To give your silkie the best quality of life, you should keep them in a coop with fresh water and plenty of high quality feed. Ask Question + 100. Without those, it gives them that fluffy look. Silkies have electric blue ear lobes – Some people say they’re turquoise, some bright blue, but there’s no denying their earlobes are a striking shade of blue. Silkies are distinctly different from any other chicken breed. 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. 0 0. They’ll be much happier and healthier if they can roam around pecking for grubs and insects, eating grass, and socializing. Chickens live and lay eggs for 6 years maximum. Obviously, it is better to recycle anyway. غرائب حول العالم on silkie ens silkies ens tractor supply co silkies ens tractor supply co غرائب حول العالم on silkie ens silkie a comprehensive guide to the silkie a comprehensive guide to the. How long does a silkie chicken live for? Some illnesses will affect your little chooks and there will be nothing you could have done to prevent it. Just look at one of the pictures, what’s not to love about these little fluff balls? As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Relevance. This will make sure they’re meeting most, if not all of their nutritional requirements. There are some things you can do to ensure they live a long and happy life, however, and I’ve heard of Silkies living to 12-13 years of age. Lv 5. Silkie chickens are one of the more interesting breeds. ABOUT AND CONTACT US - webmaster@clucking.net. Registered User. In fact, although many breeders have selectively bred this broodiness out of other chicken breeds in order to maximize egg production, Silkies have been raised exclusively for this characteristic. OK, so perhaps for those of us who do actually have an interest in chickens this is not the case, but for your average city family this is about the limit of their knowledge of different breeds. ). Silkie chickens live between 7-9 years on average. How to stop chickens sleeping in the nest box, Why chickens eat their own eggs and how to stop it, Should you feed and water inside the coop, Like my content? When Do Wyandotte Chickens Start Laying Eggs? Silkie chickens are exactly as they look - funny, cuddly and very kind. Pop in each day and see if there’s something for you. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds. Most of the foods we eat are, so it’s likely to be fine but you still have to check. They lay eggs and you eat them on a Sunday. Another reason why they make good pets for you (and your neighbors). Chickens need space to roam. WE HAVE CHOSEN TO USE ANONYMISED DATA FROM EU COUNTRIES IN OUR ANALYTICS AND ADVERTISING. The ancestors of our hens were wild birds and as such life expectancy was short. It is believed by some that the Silkie dates back as far as the Chinese Han Dynasty, in 206BC.The Chinese name for the Silkie is wu-gu-ji – meaning black-boned. The better the living conditions your chickens have, the better their long-term health will be and the longer, happier life you can expect them to live. By putting them near each other they are able to acclimate to their new surrounding and “know” other chickens are around without having to run around together. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance. Favorite Answer. 444. Related content – How many nesting boxes needed per chicken? I’ve read that chickens have a theoretical lifespan of 13 years, but of course, so many die young of mishap or disease. Fluff on the underside of Silkies can tangle around young chicks. Silkies are really easy to care for (source). Sue’s estimate always sounded sensible to … It has been compared to silk, and to fur. Such as bananas, radish, tomatoes, and so on. This is because they have such an unusual look for a chicken. I LOVE VAMPIRE DIARIES TEAM DELENA WOOO. You should also give your pet chicken medical care when needed and herbal supplements to support her health. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a big fan of Silkies. This helps everyone “ meet” in a controlled setting if you will. If you have a large fun and are able to put a smaller coop and run inside that would be idea! eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',105,'0','0']));They are popular as backyard chicken pets because they’re common, easy to look after and have a unique and cuddly appearance. As long as it dry and draft free they should do fine. Therefore, it’s uncommon for them to live long out in the wild. Silkies produce cream color eggs – I don’t know about you, but I always expected they’d produce an unusual color egg. Follow the usual guidelines for building or buying a coop with a wire mesh that provides plenty of ventilation, and is still capable of keeping predators out. You just need to make sure there is some available. Answer: Most silkie chickens live 7-9 years, but they sometimes live longer with extra care. How long do Silkie chickens live for? As a general rule, however, you should keep a close eye on them for any signs of parasites, lice, or worms. They are fluffy and cute, and there is quite a competitive show circuit for this reason. It is only recently there has been an explosion of folks that have started out keeping hens for eggs, only to find those bundles of feathers work their way into your heart and become family. The bulk of a chicken’s diet will come from a quality feed appropriate for their age. There are some things you can do to ensure they live a long and happy life, however, and I’ve heard of Silkies living to 12-13 years of age.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',118,'0','0'])); Silkie chickens are a breed of chicken that gets their name because they have fluffy coats. They eat grit, which is small rocks or similar, to help them break down their food.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',108,'0','0'])); They will self-moderate how much grit they need. Where do Silkie chickens come from? Their feathers are made up of individual silky strands that tend to grow down their legs and over their central toe. Incubating And Hatching Silkie Eggs Scrumptious Silkies. Not just chickens, but they’ve been known to look at turkey and duck eggs too! It feels like you’re running your hand across silk when you stroke them – it’s worth going out of your way to experience it. 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When do Rhode Island Red chickens start laying eggs toes, right thus the name silkie... Outer two toes are usually feathered nothing you could have done to prevent.. What they ’ re one of the pictures, what ’ s how you handle and... Keeping chickens toes – chickens have 5 toes on each foot – a chicken... Feathered breeds to get a reliable broody it has been compared to silk, how...