Description
Buff Bearded Silkie Bantam Chicken
Breed History and Origin
Buff Bearded Silkie Bantams are a long-established ornamental breed originating in Asia, known for their unique feathering and calm disposition. Silkies have been bred for centuries and were recognized by the American Standard of Perfection in 1996. Today, they remain one of the most popular bantam breeds for both exhibition and backyard flocks. Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its own bloodline or strain of pure Silkie Bantams since 1973, focusing on feather quality, color consistency, and dependable temperament.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
The Buff Bearded Silkie Bantam is recognized for its soft, fur-like feathering and rich golden buff coloration. As a bearded variety, it features full muffs and a beard that give the bird a rounded, full appearance. Like all Silkies, it has several distinctive traits, including black skin, feathered legs, and five toes instead of the typical four. These features place it in the Feather Legged Bantam class and make it one of the most visually unique chickens available. Mature roosters typically weigh around 36 ounces and hens around 32 ounces, with pullets and cockerels slightly smaller.
Egg Production and Broodiness
The Buff Bearded Silkie Bantam offers good egg production for a bantam, laying small cream or tinted eggs on a consistent basis. However, the breed is best known for its strong broodiness. Hens are excellent setters and will readily hatch and raise not only their own chicks but also chicks from other breeds that are not typically broody. Fertility generally ranges from 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of approximately six females to one male.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
This breed is extremely docile and is widely considered one of the best chickens for families and beginners. They are calm, easy to handle, and thrive in confinement, making them ideal for smaller backyards or enclosed coops. Their gentle nature allows them to integrate well with other calm breeds, though they should not be housed with aggressive birds. Due to their body structure and feathering, they prefer low roosts, typically between 0 to 2 feet.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
The Buff Bearded Silkie Bantam is best positioned as a pet, broody hen, and ornamental exhibition bird. While they do lay eggs consistently for a bantam, their primary value lies in their temperament, unique feathering, and exceptional mothering ability. They are also a strong exhibition bird, especially when rich buff color and feather quality are well maintained.
Breeding Note / Color Note
Maintaining a rich, even buff coloration can be challenging, as tones may lighten over time or through molts. Selective breeding should focus on preserving depth of color, uniformity, and proper Silkie feather texture.
Related Resources
Check out our blog “5 Chicken Breeds that Have 5 Toes” https://www.cacklehatchery.com/5-chicken-breeds-that-have-5-toes/
Having trouble selecting just one of the five Silkie varieties offered by Cackle Hatchery®? Try our Mixed Silkie Bantam Special. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/silkie-bantam-special/
For a thorough description of Silkies, look up our Breed Spotlight: Silkie Bantam Chickens. https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/breed-spotlight-silkie-bantam-chickens/
See all color variations of silkies for sale https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product-category/silkie-chicken/
FAQ
Are Buff Bearded Silkies good for beginners?
Yes, they are one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly chicken breeds due to their calm nature.
Do Buff Bearded Silkies go broody often?
Yes, they are very broody and are excellent at hatching eggs, even from other breeds.
Can Buff Bearded Silkies live in small spaces?
Yes, they do very well in confinement and are ideal for small backyard setups.
Do Buff Bearded Silkies get along with other chickens?
Yes, they are very docile but should be kept with other calm breeds.
What are Buff Bearded Silkies best used for?
They are best suited as pets, broody hens, and exhibition birds rather than for egg production.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Guy –
Very fast delivery, healthy chicks.
It took about 3 weeks after I placed the order for them to ship the chicks. Since I live a state away from the hatchery, it only took 1 day from the day they shipped to arrive in the post office. None died, all of them were very healthy, they sent extras just in case some died. Much healthier than the chicks in at Boomgaars.
Karen –
Healthy Chicks
I ordered 5 buff, 5 white, and 5 blue silkie chicks. All arrived healthy and they included 3 extra chicks! I’m in silkie heaven and couldn’t be more happy with the quality of chicks and service. The chicks were packaged very well. I will definately be buying more Cackle Hatchery. Keep up the good work!
Lisa –
Beautiful Babies!
Thank you so much for the healthy delivery of chicks I received this spring. They all made the trip in great condition and seem to be thriving. I really appreciated the phone call alerting me the order was going to ship. The birds are excellent, I can not wait to see what they look like all grown up. I will positively buy from Cackle Hatchery again. Thank you for the great service and lovely babies.
Fran –
Female chicks
We live in an area of North Carolina where we can have as many chickens as we want, but they must be female! I love silkies. Any chance of having them sexed? Do you sell older chicks that maybe can be sexed?
Mae –
Really nice service
Just received my adorable 17 silkie babies, they arrive safely on time in perfect condition, can’t be happier, my heart is melting.
Minnie –
silkie chicks
I wanted to say that we were very pleased with the service, delivery and our new babies. They arrived on time as promised and very healthy. Thank you very much.
Cat J Regan –
Pleased with these Silkies
Silkies are one of my favourite breeds and this color is very nice looking in my opinion. They make wonderful mothers/hatchers. The ones I received have nice poofy little crests, so I am excited to see how they look as adults! Thank you!
jean –
very satisfied
Chicks are very strong and healthy looking foward to ordering more.
Jessica Ohio August 2009 –
Cackle Hatchery
My chicks arrived today and i wanted to let you know they are wonderful. Your chicks are very healthy and they came right on time. I am very pleased with your hatchery. Thank you very much.
Sherri, Arkansas March 2013 –
Cackle Hatchery
Good Morning. I just picked up my chicks – 104 healthy chicks arrived on time. Another great shipment from Cackle! Thank you!
Sigfrido Puerto Rico May 2010 –
Cackle Hatchery
As you can see I live in Puerto Rico. My chicks were sent Wednesday and arrived today Friday. All of them alive and in perfect condition. Thank you very much. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and will definitely will do business again.
Jo Ann New York April 2014 –
Customer Satisfaction
Recently, I received an order of chicks that I had called in. They arrived the next day! It was so good to see that all strong and healthy. They will be a week old tomorrow. All is going well. I live so far North in New York state that when shipments take 3 or 4 days the birds do not do well. I hope that this speed can be used again when I order. Thank you for healthy birds and getting them here by next day.