Silk hens are characterized by their spectacular appearance. However, this is not the only remarkable feature and they have many stories to tell as they are quite an old breed of chickens. They are hens with marked maternal instincts, who take care of their chicks and who will defend them with their beaks and claws. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, will you stay with us to learn more about the Silky hen?
In PlanèteAnimal we share all the characteristics of the Silky hen so that you know it and discover its history, keep reading!
Origin
- Asia
- Japan
Origin of the Japanese hen
This hen comes from Japan. Despite this, in some places it is also known as the Chinese silky hen or Chinese hen.
Although its existence was not known until the 12th century, which was recorded in the documents of the famous Marco Polo, it is suspected that the breed is even older, its phylogenetic origin being unknown with certainty . These hens began to be exported to the European mainland around the 18th century, where they were first considered a new bird, not a hen.
In Asia, they were considered animals of medicinal use, attributing healing and therapeutic properties to their meat, feathers and eggs. In order to obtain these remedies, the hen had to be slaughtered with great care and according to a precise protocol.To this day, she is considered more of a domestic hen, except on some farms where she performs functions that were traditionally performed by broody hens, as they are not good layers, but are excellent for incubation and brooding. chick care.
Physical Characteristics of the Silkie Hen
A Soie hen is a medium-sized hen, weighing 800 grams to one kilo for hens and 1 to 1.3 kilograms for roosters. Its most distinctive characteristic, apart from the plumage, is that it has 5 toes, while most of these birds have between 3 and 4. The head is short and rounded in shape, with an equally short beak and small, dark eyes, showcasing a slanting plume of feathers from the back that reaches to her blue ears
Despite the above, among the characteristics of the silkie, the most characteristic and appreciated feature is undoubtedly its exuberant plumage.It is very abundant and dense, formed by feathers without veins. Looks like fuzz, especially on the spine and beard. It is extremely silky and 5 varieties are distinguished by the color of the feathers: white, blue, silver gray, black and wild. The most emblematic is white, which contrasts with the blue-black color of his skin.
Behaviour and character of the Silk hen
Due to the affectionate and endearing nature of these hens, they have become, over the years, one of the very popular household hens. This breed is very popular as a pet.
These hens are famous for their strong maternal instincts, because, although they are not very good as laying hens, they are excellent brooders. They excel not only in incubating the eggs, but also in caring for the chicks. Even roosters are good parents, making sure the chicks are well fed, encouraging them to eat and teaching them how to feed themselves.
" If you have found an abandoned or injured chick and have decided to adopt it to ensure its survival, the first thing to do is to go to the vet to treat it. Then, do not hesitate to consult our article on What do chickens eat."
Reproduction of the Silk hen
It is estimated that a silkie hen lays, on average, about 50 to 60 eggs per year. Compared to other breeds of hens, this is not much. These eggs weigh between 35 and 45 grams, have a cream-colored shell and, after an incubation of about 21 days, the chicks hatch. At this time, just when they have just hatched, the chicks do not look good, because they are quite fragile and the down is slimy and stuck to their little bodies. But as they grow, they take on the appearance of adorable fluffy chicks.
Females are so good at incubating that they are often entrusted with the incubation of very fragile eggs, such as pheasant eggs, because the success rates are really high, which, considering the complexity of the task, is highly commendable.
It is important to remember that we should not adopt chickens to reproduce and exploit them, they are sentient beings who deserve to live in dignity. Its best home is its natural habitat, but if you decide to adopt a silkie because you rescued it from industry, found it abandoned or injured, also keep in mind that it deserves to be loved and respected.
Take care of the Silkie hen
If we want to have a silkie as a pet, we must take into account a series of considerations regarding its care and needs. One of them is to have a spacious field for her, as well as a place to shelter, which receives sunlight and is well ventilated. It is very important to have land so that the hen can move freely, sunbathe, peck, roll in the dirt and, ultimately, enjoy the outdoors. A hen that does not have access to the outside will not be very happy.Of course, you should never put a Silkie hen in a cage.
For a Silkie hen to be in the best condition, it is important that you provide it with quality food, monitoring the composition of its diet. Also, you should make sure that their watering hole and corral or fence are clean and that there is always fresh water available to them. Find out what chickens eat in this other article.
It is also essential to know how to identify when they are in good he alth and when worrying symptoms appear which can make you suspect that your hen is sick. To do this, we must know how to distinguish when its beak, feathers, eyes and mucous membranes look he althy, clean and of good color, and when we should be alarmed and go to the veterinarian, as it is. the appearance of mucous or strange secretions. In this sense, it is recommended to carry out periodic veterinary checks.
Silk Hen Pictures
