Silkies and Satins have to be one of our most favorite birds on the farm. They are so gentle, quirky, talkative, and all-around just adorable little chickens! One important thing to note is that Silkies and Satins, although very similar, are two different breeds.
The Silkie has been around for hundreds of years, while the Satin is a fairly recent breed - within the last 20 or so years. The Satin was created by crossing Silkies with Cochins and then back to Silkies for several generations. This created a bird that looks like a Silkie except the Satin has the smooth, standard-type feathering instead of the silked feathers seen on a traditional Silkie. Satins are not currently accepted as a breed by the American Poultry Association, so if you wanted to show them, they would have to go in a non-standard class.
We try to follow the Silkie SOP as much as possible. While we do our best to select for correct traits, disqualifying "faults" such as the wrong type of comb, incorrect number of toes, incorrect leg colors etc.) may show up. Some are bearded, and some are not.
The Silkie has been around for hundreds of years, while the Satin is a fairly recent breed - within the last 20 or so years. The Satin was created by crossing Silkies with Cochins and then back to Silkies for several generations. This created a bird that looks like a Silkie except the Satin has the smooth, standard-type feathering instead of the silked feathers seen on a traditional Silkie. Satins are not currently accepted as a breed by the American Poultry Association, so if you wanted to show them, they would have to go in a non-standard class.
We try to follow the Silkie SOP as much as possible. While we do our best to select for correct traits, disqualifying "faults" such as the wrong type of comb, incorrect number of toes, incorrect leg colors etc.) may show up. Some are bearded, and some are not.
The Breeding Pens (tentative)
"BLACKBERRIES" - black, cuckoo, silked and satin
"BLUEBERRIES"
"GOODNESS GREY-CIOUS" (greys)
Lavender (Self-Blue) & Black Split to Lavender
includes Silkies & Satins: Due to the associated "shredder" gene of self-blue/lavender, black birds split to lavender are utilized. This will help maintain feather quality. You can read more about it here: Shredder Gene in Lavender Chickens
includes Silkies & Satins: Due to the associated "shredder" gene of self-blue/lavender, black birds split to lavender are utilized. This will help maintain feather quality. You can read more about it here: Shredder Gene in Lavender Chickens
"HODGE-PODGE"
We believe in community, not competition. Below is where some of our flock is sourced from. We are extremely grateful that they have shared their flock with us as we couldn't have these beautiful birds without them!
(In alphabetical order.)
Bella Nera Farm (NJ-426) ◦ Brier Hill Cottage (NY-1733) ◦ Fall River Farms (TN-1165) ◦ Feather Baby Farms (CA-490) ◦ Rose Blossom Silkies (WA-323) ◦ Silkie Smooth Chicks (MD-763) ◦ Yoak & Feather Farm (MI-728)
(In alphabetical order.)
Bella Nera Farm (NJ-426) ◦ Brier Hill Cottage (NY-1733) ◦ Fall River Farms (TN-1165) ◦ Feather Baby Farms (CA-490) ◦ Rose Blossom Silkies (WA-323) ◦ Silkie Smooth Chicks (MD-763) ◦ Yoak & Feather Farm (MI-728)