Bantam silkies are a very interesting chickens for everyone.Most of us buy them due to their beauty,but we later on find out a great secret.They are wonderful pets much like dogs,cats,and rats.The appearance is very tempting.The feathers are very soft and are more fur than feather.Two key differences are instead of having four toes,they have five and their skin is a beautiful blue or black color.Some even have black bones.Care is very similar to other chickens and may even be easier.Dedication and compassion for this breed is necessary to care for them properly.

  Bantams are notorious for being actual pets.With minimal handling,they become very tamed.Their feathering,strange skin,and extra toes make them wanted as unusual pets.They require almost exactly the same care as standard chickens and may be easier.They are however more vulnerable to predators due to their smaller,stockier stature so a place protected from predatory animals such as crows and hawks.They cannot fly as high as other bantams that are notorious for flying over high fences.For that reason,evereything should be set closer to the ground.Do not provide uncracked corn or anything that is way to hard since they cannot really swallow the kernels.Feed smaller pellets made especially for them.Do not let them have huge bowls of water because thei feather easily lose their water proof properties,drowning them once it is soaked.The bird may swim,but the fur-like feathers soaked with water weigh them down easily.They are sometimes good indoor birds as long as bedding is layed down so you can scoop out the waste.They are very intelligent.In fact they are so smart they can learn tricks.

  Breeding these beautifull bantams is extremely easy.Mate two and wait for eggs.A single egg or two will be laid every single day untilthey are all layed.She may only incubate them once all are laid,but since they are such great mothers,they may incubate them as soon as being laid,witrh a few hatching at different days.As soon as the eggs were to hatch,you could hand-raise the to reduce mortality rates.The eggs hatch in 21 days.If you do leave mom and chicks together,provide a more enclosed space and more feed.Hens will be a little bit cranky and agressive at first.

  These are not real egg layers at all.In fact,they were bred forpet use although it could also have been for the black meat.It is said to have medicinal properties so they may be in demand especially in traditional Chinese places,where they are thought of as good eats.It is very tasty,but the black meat and bones may be strange and unappetizing.