# Silkie Chicken (*Gallus gallus domesticus*) Silkie chickens are fluffy and friendly birds that come in many colors. They are known for their soft feathers and sweet personalities, making them great pets for families! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 52 - **Also known as:** Silkie, Silky Bantam ![Silkie Chicken](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426710/objects/4585.jpg) ## Appearance The Silkie Chicken has a distinct puffy, hair-like plumage that feels like silk, often covering their entire body including their feet. They typically sport a small, walnut-shaped comb and unique turquoise blue earlobes. Their skin, bones, and sometimes even their flesh are a surprising dark blue-black color. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Gallus ## Interesting facts - Beneath their fluffy feathers, their skin and bones are surprisingly dark blue-black. - Silkie Chickens have striking blue earlobes, which is very unusual for a bird! - Silkie feathers lack barbicels, making them soft and downy rather than stiff. - They are one of the few chicken breeds that naturally have five toes on each foot! ## Special abilities - **Broody Buddy:** Silkie Chickens are super broody and can hatch eggs from many other bird species, helping them become adoptive parents. - **Feathery Feet:** Silkie Chickens have five toes on each foot, one more than most chickens, which helps them stay warm and stable. - **Super Soft Shield:** Silkie Chickens have downy, non-locking feathers that insulate them very well, keeping them cozy in cooler weather. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-30 cm - **Wingspan:** 35-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-9 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-12 - **Incubation:** 20-21 days ## Diet & Feeding These fluffy birds are omnivores, happily pecking at grains, insects, and leafy greens. - **Primary Foods:** commercial chicken feed, seeds, insects, worms, leafy greens, small fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans care for and raise Silkie chickens as pets or for show. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Red foxes may prey on Silkie chickens, especially in rural areas. - **Eats:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Rats can sometimes eat Silkie chicken eggs or young chicks. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Silkie chickens forage for and eat earthworms in the soil. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always be gentle and calm around chickens. They are friendly but can be scared easily. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Silkie Chicken? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Silkie Chicken? 25-30 cm ### What is Silkie Chicken's wingspan? 35-45 cm ### How much does Silkie Chicken weigh? 0.8-1.5 kg ### How long does Silkie Chicken live? 7-9 years ### How fast can Silkie Chicken move? 5 km/h ### What does Silkie Chicken eat? These fluffy birds are omnivores, happily pecking at grains, insects, and leafy greens. ### How does Silkie Chicken hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Lahaina Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lahaina-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [National Tropical Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/national-tropical-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Waimea Valley](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/waimea-valley) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Honolulu Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/honolulu-zoo) — Hawaii, US · Zoo [View all places to see Silkie Chicken](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/silkie-chicken) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Silkie Chicken: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silkie-chicken)