The Silkie chicken was first recorded in the 13th century, when Marco Polo described encountering a “furry” chicken during his travels through Asia. Named for their soft, silk-like plumage, Silkies have since captured the hearts of chicken keepers around the world.

While Silkies are primarily kept as pets, they also serve as excellent garden companions. Their small size and feathered feet mean they cause minimal damage to plants, while still helping with pest control by scratching for bugs.

Silkies begin laying at around 6 months of age and are notoriously broody. They often sit on their own eggs—or even steal others—and make exceptional mothers, nurturing chicks with great care. On average, they produce 80–120 small cream-coloured eggs per year.

These charming birds are instantly recognisable by their walnut-shaped combs, dark mulberry wattles, black skin, and turquoise earlobes. They have feathered legs and an unusual five toes per foot. Silkies are available in a range of colours, with white, black, and brown being the most popular.

Often described as the friendliest chicken breed, Silkies are gentle, affectionate, and happy to be handled or cuddled. They make fantastic pets for families, particularly those with young children, and are known to be calm and content when kept with other breeds.

Silkies tolerate cold weather fairly well but should be kept dry, as their unique feathers don’t shed water effectively. They’re suitable for confinement but also enjoy free-ranging, where their sweet nature and foraging instinct truly shine.

Greenhills Country Farm currently supplies Partridge Silkies.