How to Breed Silkie Bantams

The Silkie Bantam is an ornamental chicken breed that hails from the Far East. They are unusual because they have black skin and bones and have five toes, rather than the usual four. They are known for being so docile that they can be tamed and kept as pets, and they enjoy being treated much like a lap cat. They are also very devoted parents to their offspring. Pullet, or female Silkie Bantams, have been known to adopt baby ducks. Even the males are very involved parents, and you will often find hatchlings following them as well as their mothers.

Things You'll Need

  • Silkie pullets (females)
  • Silkie cockerels (males)
  • Housing with nesting areas
  • Food
  • Water
  • Heat lamp (optional for warm climates)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin by preparing a housing unit for the Silkies. Enclose the area with chicken wire, including a layer above the chickens. This ensures predators are kept out. It also keeps the chickens inside without clipping their wings.

    • 2

      Prepare a nesting area within the housing unit with hay. Give them ample water and food. If you live in a cold climate, add a heat lamp to keep the Silkies warm.

    • 3

      Introduce a male, or cockeral, Silkie to the pullet Silkies. You can introduce more than one, but do not keep more males than females together because the males are known for being possessive. Mother Nature should run its course, and the Silkie females should become impregnated.

    • 4

      Check on your pullets once they have begun laying egg. Pick up any that are not being sat on. Pullets can lay 90 or more eggs, but only six or eight will hatch and be raised. If you find a Silkie pullet off its nest, it is because it is eating or drinking because they are very devoted and never abandon their nests.