Are these silkies pure or crossed?

[Ais]

A friend has these and I think they’re gorgeous… I’ve not seen any quite like them…

 

[MysteryChicken]

Pure Chinese Silkies. They vary in appearance, & are often Largefowl. I raise this type.

 

[Ais]

Pure Chinese Silkies. They vary in appearance, & are often Largefowl. I raise this type.

What are the differences between silkies and Chinese silkies? Where can Chinese silkies be purchased?

 

[skeeeter]

Hi, looks like your birds don't have walnut combs, nor blue earlobes and their faces look reddish, not black. They are very pretty birds and they look healthy, which is good. Good luck on your chicken adventure

 

[Ais]

Hi, looks like your birds don't have walnut combs, nor blue earlobes and their faces look reddish, not black. They are very pretty birds and they look healthy, which is good. Good luck on your chicken adventure

Thanks! Are they mixed with something, or a specific type like the previous person said? They’re a friend’s silkies and they’re about the same age as mine… maybe a week or two older. Mine are 11 weeks old. This is what they look like:

 

[Ais]

They also have blue earlobes, at least on the ones I can see

 

[skeeeter]

I have seen a hatchery selling "meat bird silkies". They were for raising and selling to oriental customers who wanted "black chickens" you know, black skin, meat and bones.Yours look more like Standard Bred birds.

 

[skeeeter]

I was afraid to offend you. As you can see, Standard Bred Silkies have : Black skin, Walnut combs, Blue earlobes, Five toes on each foot, Topknots, Feathered legs, Mulberry(purple-black) faces and very silky plumage. Ideally, none of their feathers have webs.

 

[Ais]

Thanks, I don’t take offense. I buy from hatcheries so I know the quality is usually less than ideal. I bought my silkies from cackle because I heard that their silkies were a bit better than most hatcheries. They are “fluffing out” at different rates as you can see from the pictures… is that normal or does it indicate a range of quality between them?

 

[skeeeter]

I think it is normal, Upbred animals don't all look 100% the same as they are not clones. With very good stock, I think the "excellent" average is ~90%. I would never buy just a couple of chicks from somewhere and expect to get only excellence because of the 1 in 10. Your birds look like they could got to the fair and win prizes.