The Silkie Club of Great Britain

The winning Silkie Club stand at the Club Show 2001

Secretary: Mrs. S. Bowser
Nettleham Heath, Nettleham
Lincs. LN2 2LU
England
phone / fax: 01 522 754 096
e-mail: jbowser@ukfarming.co.uk

Annual subscription:
Adults ~ £8.00
Joint/family ~ £12.00
Junior ~ £2.50p (Aged 16 or under on the 1st October)
Overseas ~ £10.00 (sterling draft please -- no cheques)

The Silkie Club of Great Britain was founded in 1898, and has a
current membership of over 200 members, including subscribers from Holland,
Denmark, Norway and Australia. All members receive annually a Year Book and
two newsletters, and have ongoing access to help, advice and information
sheets, if required. The Spring newsletter is accompanied each year by the
revised members and Silkie breeder’s lists, with new members receiving a pack
containing all the current literature and information, including a copy of
the official Silkie standards.

The Silkie began to be established in this country during the middle
of the 19th century, although it was known prior to this time, with reference
being made to the breed in many of the old poultry books, often somewhat
disparagingly. Since those times, the Silkie has very much come into its own,
and is no longer considered to be an oddity, good only as a surrogate ‘mum’.
In recent years, Silkies have regularly been amongst the top prize winners at
the major shows.

There are five recognised colours; namely White, Black, Blue, Gold
and Partridge: and four different types, which are large fowl, bantam, large
fowl bearded and bantam bearded. The breed is classified as being large fowl
light breed, with the official weights for the large fowl being male 1.81 kg
(4lbs), female 1.36 kg (3lbs), bantam male 600g (22ozs), and bantam female
500g (18ozs). The standardisation of the bantam in 1993 has led to many more
people keeping this charming little bird.

Listed as serious defects are: Green beak, or tip to the beak. Horns
protruding from the comb. Ruddy comb, wattles or face. Incorrect colour in
plumage or skin. Plumage not silky. Want of crest. ‘Polish or split crest -
the crest should not hang over the eyes. Green soles to the feet.

The faults which lead to disqualification are: Single comb. Toes
other than five in number. Green legs. Featherless legs or feet.
Vulture hocks.

The Silkie has a gentle disposition, and is not flighty. They are
undemanding in their requirements, but because of their type of feathering,
they should always have dry and warm accommodation available to them,
particularly when there’s rain about.