There is only one chicken that will do if you want to add a little Vegas style to your backyard flock. The Showgirls are the most glamorous chickens. They have flashy personalities, big feathered headdresses, and looks that draw people in.
A Brief History of Showgirl Chickens
The Showgirl chicken is a relatively new arrival on the chicken breeding scene, first making appearances in the early 2000s. They came about from breeders crossing two uniquely odd-looking chicken breeds – the Silkie and the Transylvanian Naked Neck.
Silkies are known for their fluffy, fur-like plumage owing to feathers that lack stiff barbicels. This gives them an endearing fuzzy appearance. Naked Necks, also called Turkens, have a very literal name – their necks lack feathers, bearing a resemblance to the wattles of a turkey.
By crossing a Naked Neck and a Silkie, breeders aimed to create a fun new breed that blended the best of both worlds – namely, the fluffy Silkie appearance with the bare neck of the Naked Neck. The result was a quirky, eye-catching chicken with plenty of personality.
What Does a Showgirl Chicken Look Like?
Picture a Silkie chicken with a naked neck topped by a poufy plume of feathers, looking almost like a Las Vegas showgirl’s headdress That’s your classic Showgirl!
They typically have:
- Small-to-medium sized bodies, averaging 4-6 lbs
- Fluffy plumage courtesy of their Silkie parentage
- Bare necks with a tuft or crest of feathers on the head
- Occasional sparse neck feathers resembling a brooch
- Silkie traits like black skin, dark beak and eyes, dark wattles
- Five toes instead of the usual four
There are showgirls in every color of the rainbow, but white is the most common. They also come in black, buff, blue, lavender, red, and different patterns, such as cuckoos, spangled, partridge, and splashed colors.
What’s the Temperament of Showgirl Chickens?
You might expect a big personality from a chicken named Showgirl, and you wouldn’t be wrong! Most Showgirls live up to their diva-esque name, displaying confidence, curiosity, and plenty of spunk.
Their typical traits include:
- Confident, curious, and active temperament
- Intelligent and easily trained – they can even learn tricks!
- Friendly and enjoy human interaction – great for kids
- Generally peaceful with other chickens
- Some roosters may be a bit bossy with flockmates
- Loud, attention-seeking vocalizations
Overall, Showgirls have outgoing personalities and make a fun addition to backyard flocks, especially for anyone who wants a chicken with a bit of sass! They also inherit the sweet, docile nature of their Silkie ancestors.
How Do Showgirl Chickens For Eggs?
While Showgirls are bred first and foremost for exhibition purposes, they can still lay a respectable number of eggs, thanks to their hard-working heritage from production breeds like Leghorns.
You can expect:
- Around 200 eggs annually per hen
- Medium-sized white or tinted eggs
- Peak laying around the first year, with steady production 2-3 years
The exact output will vary based on individual hens. Showgirls will still give you a good supply of eggs for your own use, even though they aren’t bred to lay a lot of eggs.
Are Showgirl Chickens Hardy and Healthy Birds?
Showgirls are typically quite robust, inheriting excellent health and cold tolerance from their Silkie and Naked Neck ancestors. Both parent breeds are very hardy with few health problems.
A few things to watch for include:
- Their fluffy Silkie feathers mean they dislike wet conditions. Provide shelter.
- Heat tolerance can be iffy – cool them in very hot weather.
- Monitor toes/feet for injuries with their extra toes.
- Guard against predators due to poor survival instincts.
Aside from taking a few extra precautions, Showgirls are generally easy-keeping and vigorous chickens perfect for urban and suburban flocks.
Tips for Raising Showgirl Chickens
Caring for these glamorous chickens is similar to raising their parent breeds:
Housing:
- A fully enclosed coop is safest due to their poor survival skills
- Ensure proper ventilation due to their fur-like plumage
- Use wide perches to accommodate their extra toes
- Nest boxes for egg laying
Feeding:
- High-quality layer feed
- Treats like fruits, veggies, mealworms
- Oyster shell for calcium
- Grit to aid digestion
Health Management:
- Check feet/toes regularly for injuries
- Control mites/lice if issues arise
- Quarantine new additions before introducing them
Exercise and Enrichment:
- Give them ample outdoor space to scratch, dust bathe, and forage
- Provide toys, platforms, and roosts indoors
- Supervise outside time – they have poor predator awareness
Breeding and Chicks:
- Best to incubate eggs artificially due to poor broody survival rates
- Start chicks on medicated feed and keep warm
- Expect chicks to be autosexing based on fast/slow feathering
The Pros and Cons of Showgirl Chickens
Pros:
- Entertaining personalities and stunning looks
- Generally healthy and robust
- Lay a decent number of eggs
- Docile and kid-friendly
Cons:
- Require protection from predators
- Prone to getting picked on by assertive flockmates
- Roosters can be quite vocal
- Need extra care in very cold or very hot weather
Are Showgirl Chickens Right for You?
For chicken keepers who want a bit of flashy plumage and pizzazz in their flock, Showgirls are a great option. These quirky chickens live up to their Vegas name with head-turning style and plenty of personality. They also produce a nice supply of eggs and enjoy human company.
Just be ready for their glamorous grooming requirements and vocal tendencies! Showgirls need more protection than hardy utility breeds but make up for it with their uniqueness. If you’re seeking a conversation-starting chicken that will keep you entertained, the Showgirl may just be the breed for you.
Introduction to Showgirl Silkie Chickens
Very unusual, wonderful and just fabulous!!! These stunning Silkie hens are named Showgirl Silkies. They have fatherless necks and outrageously poufy pom-poms making them look every bit as their name suggests. Their humorous personalities make them great for kids. They are calm and full of quirks, and we love watching them “chicken” around the garden. Stunning and full of charm Pipinchick’s Show Girl Silkie Marilyn was photographed for U. K. fashion brand Burberry as part of their winter advertising campaign in 2018.
This breed will be suited with most other breeds, however, some delicate breeds are not compatible with Hybrids or more aggressive breeds. Check the full breed guide for more information.
They are calm and easy to handle, and this breed makes a great pet for both adults and kids. They will enjoy being around people and being with them.
This breed of chicken lays up to 150 medium-sized cream-colored to white eggs a year. They are known for being broody.
SILKY, SIZZLE, AND SHOWGIRL CHICKENS
FAQ
What is a showgirl chicken?
Showgirl chickens, on the other hand, are a relatively new breed that only became popular in the 21st century. They have their bloodline traced to the hybrid combination of the 300-year-old Asiatic breed known as Silkies and the Transylvanian Naked Necks, also known as the Turkens.
What is a Silkie showgirl chicken?
The Silkie and the Naked Neck (also called Showgirl or Turkens) are two well-known chicken breeds that were crossed.
What makes a showgirl chicken different?
The most notable feature that sets showgirl chickens apart from other breeds is their lack of feathers. They are partially naked, with only a soft down covering their bodies. This condition is caused by a genetic change that happens naturally. It is called the “naked neck” or “turken” gene.
How much does a showgirl chicken weigh?
The weight range for showgirls is 1.8-2.8 pounds. The showgirl chicken is a beautiful light brown color, with contrasting dark markings around the eyes and beak. The most distinguishing feature of this breed is its show-stopping plumage. It is a productive breed, and the females can lay between 80 and 140 cream, tinted, or brown eggs per year.
Are showgirl chickens a good breed?
There is perhaps no fascinating chicken breed that lights up your poultry like the Showgirl chicken. Typically, showpieces with a shine of broodiness, Showgirl chickens hold a spot in the backyard coop as the farmers’ ideal choice to improve the quality of whichever breeding program is going on.
Are showgirl chickens healthy?
Showgirl chickens are primarily bred for their aesthetic appeal and ornamental purposes. They are often showcased in poultry exhibitions, fairs, and competitions due to their unique appearance. Despite their lack of feathers, showgirls are generally healthy and have the same life expectancy as other chicken breeds.
What makes a showgirl chicken?
A Showgirl is a type of chicken that combines the features of two of the weirdest-looking chicken breeds, Silkies and Turkens! Silkies are small chickens whose feathers lack the barbicels that hold them into a feather shape, so they look (and feel) like they’re covered with fur rather than feathers.
What is the difference between a Silkie and a showgirl?
About the Breed
They are a crossbreed between two popular chicken breeds: the Silkie and the Naked Neck (also known as Showgirl or Turkens). The Silkie breed is known for its fluffy, soft feathers, and the Naked Neck breed is characterized by its featherless neck and head.
What does a showgirl chicken look like?
Showgirls are a beautiful breed, they have the fluffy feathers and black skin of a silkie chicken and the naked neck of a turken chicken, plus a vibrant blue patch near their ear.
What are Silkie chickens good for?
Silkie chickens are valued for their unique appearance and temperament, making them suitable for pets, ornamental birds, and broody hens. They are also known for their friendly nature and good mothering skills.