Gray Hill Exotics and Poultry
We breed white and gray bearded silkies. We show our birds and offer started birds occasionally but we do not offer eggs or chicks at this time. There are many breeders out there who do offer eggs and chicks and I may be able to refer you to one in your area. Remember, it is impossible to buy or sell show quality chicks because quality cannot usually be determined until a silkie is at least five months of age. Lines differ in maturity as well. Silkies are notoriously slow to mature in comparison to most poultry.
Please be cautious when purchasing "SQ" or "Show Quality" birds. That is a term that is thrown around more than any other and is pretty much meaningless. It is often used to sell birds and or eggs for a higher dollar when the birds may not have show potential at all. To me, a show quality bird is one that can be competitive in show, not just in Breed but also Class and above. Your best bet is to buy a bird from a breeder who exhibits in open class and can help by stating the bird's qualities and faults. There is no such thing as a perfect bird, so the breeder should explain what could be improved upon as well. Also buy the standard through either the American Poultry Association or the American Bantam Association. The standard describes in detail what the silkie should look like, faults, and disqualifications.
Please do not contact me wanting a show quality bird for fifty dollars. It is not going to happen. True show quality birds are not cheap. A lot of work goes into these birds. Keeping them in show condition is time consuming, lots of blood, sweat and tears. In general, whites are going to cost more than grays, due to the work involved in keeping them in condition. Having said all of that, if you want some cute and sweet pets, I usually have birds that are not meant for the show cage and they will be priced accordingly.
Silkies are indeed chickens, but they are so very different in various ways that we don't think of them as chickens at all. Silkies are generally very mild mannered and docile. Even the roosters are typically sweet birds. They make wonderful pets and like other chickens, can live beyond ten years of age.
Silkies have hair-like plumage, black skin (and bones and organs), a mulberry-colored walnut comb, bright turquoise blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot.
Silkies come in both bearded and non-bearded, we only keep and breed bearded silkies. They also come in eight recognized color varieties: white, black, blue, splash, partridge, gray, buff, and self blue.
Also, visit the American Silkie Bantam Club for lots of information and to find breeders. Whether you want a show quality bird or just fluffy pets, check out the ASBC!
