Why Silkies are our favourite family chicken

There’s something about a Silkie that makes it almost impossible not to pick one up.

They have a way of wandering over, looking up at you with that wonderfully fluffy little face, and somehow becoming the chicken everyone in the family wants to hold. We’ve watched it happen time and time again, children who might have been a little unsure of the chickens at first are drawn straight to the Silkies. They’re small, soft, friendly and, quite simply, hard to resist.

And that’s exactly why they’re one of our favourite breeds when it comes to choosing a family pet.

Small in size, big in personality

Silkies are a smaller breed, which makes them particularly appealing for families who want chickens that are easy to handle.

They’re calm, docile and generally very quiet, making them particularly well suited to a suburban backyard. Even the roosters tend to be less invasive than you might expect, although, as with any rooster, individual temperament can vary.

They’re also wonderfully easy to handle. For children, having a chicken that is calm and manageable can make all the difference. A bird that is comfortable being picked up and gently handled is much more likely to become a pet rather than simply another animal in the backyard.

And yes, they really do love a cuddle.

The fluffiest chicken in the flock

Of course, we can’t talk about Silkies without talking about their looks.

That extraordinary fluffy plumage is what makes them instantly recognisable. Their feathers have a soft, almost fur-like appearance, giving them a wonderfully cuddly look that children especially adore.

They also come in a variety of colours, so there’s plenty of personality to choose from when building your flock.

But their appeal isn’t just about being cute. Their combination of appearance and temperament is what makes them such a special little backyard bird.

A great fit for the backyard

Silkies are wonderfully suited to backyard life. They’re smaller, quiet and easy to manage, making them particularly well suited to suburban households where chickens are living close to the house and neighbours.

They don’t fly, so they’re generally quite happy to stay close to home rather than finding their way over fences or into places they shouldn’t be. Their easy-going nature also means they can settle beautifully into a well-designed backyard coop and run.

For families, it’s that combination of being manageable and easy to handle that makes them such an enjoyable breed to keep.

A pet that still lays eggs

Just because your chicken is destined to become a much-loved backyard pet doesn’t mean she can’t earn her keep.

Silkies still lay eggs, although their eggs are smaller than those produced by larger laying breeds. Their eggs are generally lightly tinted brown and are a lovely little addition to the daily collection.

They aren’t the breed we would choose if your number-one priority was maximum egg production. But if you’re looking for a chicken that brings companionship, personality and a few eggs along with it, Silkies are a lovely choice.

For many families, that balance is exactly what makes them so appealing.

They fit beautifully into a mixed flock

Another reason we love Silkies is how well they interact with other breeds.

They can be wonderful additions to a mixed backyard flock, particularly when the other birds have similarly gentle temperaments. They bring their own distinct look and personality without needing to be the centre of attention.

There’s something rather lovely about a flock made up of different breeds, sizes and personalities. A fluffy Silkie pottering around amongst larger chickens is always going to steal a little attention.

As with any breed, temperament can vary between individual birds, and introducing new chickens should always be done thoughtfully and with the welfare of the whole flock in mind.

The family favourite

For us, Silkies are one of those breeds that make keeping chickens feel less like a chore and more like having another little character in the backyard. They’re beautiful, gentle, wonderfully entertaining and it’s not hard to see why they quickly become family favourites.