Silkie

The Silkie is an unmistakable ornamental breed, known for plumage that lacks the barbicels that hold ordinary feathers together, giving it a soft, fluffy, almost fur-like covering. Alongside this it has several unusual features: black or dark skin, flesh and bones, a walnut-shaped comb, blue earlobes, five toes rather than the usual four, and feathered legs. The plumage means Silkies cannot fly and are not waterproof, so they need dry housing and shelter from heavy rain.

Silkies are calm, docile and exceptionally tame, which makes them a popular choice for families and for those new to keeping poultry. Hens are famously broody and make excellent, devoted mothers, and they are often kept specifically to brood and rear eggs from other birds. They are light layers of small cream-tinted eggs, and are valued far more for their temperament and ornamental appeal than for their egg or meat production.