Breeding Blue Silkies

Silkie chickens come in a wide range of colors, including buff, gray and blue. Silkie feathers do not have barbs and are soft and downy--hence the name. Silkies are considered a bantam breed because of their small size and have a gentle nature that makes them a popular pet bird. Blue silkies are low-maintenance birds, making them a good starter variety for novice chicken breeders.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken coop
  • Nest boxes
  • Straw
  • Feed and water pans
  • Chicken scratch
  • Heat lamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your chicken coop prior to bringing your blue silkies home. Line your nest boxes with fresh straw and fill you feed and water pans with chicken scratch and clean water. Place the feed pan in one corner of your pen and water pan in the opposite corner to prevent the chickens from dumping feed into their water.

    • 2

      Purchase your blue silkies from an established breeder. One rooster can successfully cover up to 10 hens, so discuss your needs with the breeder at the time of purchase. You may have to order your birds three or four weeks in advance because of the popularity of the bird.

    • 3

      Introduce your blue silkies to the coop and leave them alone to allow them to explore at their own pace. Blue silkies are curious birds and will explore every inch of the coop before settling down to eat. Refill both feed and water pans daily.

    • 4

      Observe your birds of signs of mating. Mating occurs most often during early spring, although blue silkies will mate all year long. A receptive female will cluck softly, laying down in front of the male and lifting her tail. He will mount her, grasping her neck feathers in his beak. A successful mating will produce a clutch with an average of five to 10 fertilized eggs.

    • 5

      Check nest boxes daily for any eggs outside the main clutch. Hens will often push unfertilized eggs away from the nest, where they will spoil if not removed. Blue silkies are extremely protective parents and will seldom leave the nest except for food and water. Eggs hatch approximately 21 days after fertilization, with chicks being totally independent by 2 weeks of age.