How Much Does a Silkie Chicken Cost? A Detailed Look at Purchasing and Raising These Unique Birds

Silkie chickens have become increasingly popular over recent years Their fluffy plumage and docile temperaments make them a joy to own But before taking the plunge and purchasing some of these charismatic chickens, it’s important to understand the costs involved. In this comprehensive article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how much Silkies cost to purchase and raise.

Native to Asia Silkies are a bantam chicken breed renowned for their fluffy, fur-like feathers. Their plumage feels silk-soft hence the name ‘Silkie’. Underneath all that fluff, Silkies have black skin and dark blue flesh. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, allowing the plumage to retain a downy texture.

Along with their distinctive looks, Silkies have calm, friendly personalities. They make ideal pets and enjoy human interaction. Their mothering instincts are excellent too – Silkies frequently go broody and raise chicks. Despite their small size, Silkies lay a decent number of small, cream-colored eggs with great taste.

In general, Silkies are fun to own because they look cute, are friendly, brood a lot, and lay lots of eggs. However, how much does it cost to buy and raise them? Let’s find out.

Purchase Price of Silkie Chickens

To buy Silkies, you’ll typically be looking at costs of:

• $20 – $40 per chick
• $30 – $60 per pullet
• $40 – $100 per breeding quality hen

Here are some of the factors that influence Silkie costs

Age

Younger Silkies cost less. Day-old chicks range from $2 – $5 each. Older birds are more expensive – especially mature hens of breeding quality.

Quality

Show-quality Silkies from prize-winning bloodlines cost more. But lower quality pet-grade Silkies can be found cheaper.

Color

Common colors like white, black, buff cost less. Rarer colors like blue, splash, grey cost more.

Source

Silkies from breeders that specialize in them often cost more than farm/hatchery Silkies.

Cost of Housing Silkies

To house Silkies, you’ll need:

• Coop – A basic 4x6ft coop for 4-6 hens costs $300 – $800. For more birds, size up accordingly.

• Run: An outside 10x10ft run costs between $150 and $300. Go bigger if you can.

• Perches – $10 – $30 for 2-3 perches. Lower perches are best for these small chickens.

• Nest boxes – $20 – $40 for 2-3 enclosed nest box units. Silkies love dark, discreet spots to lay.

• Bedding – $10 – $20 monthly for pine shavings or straw.

• Feeders/waterers – $20 – $30 each for quality feeders and waterers.

In total, expect to spend $500 – $1500 to properly house a small Silkie flock. Regular cleaning and maintenance will also be required.

Feed Costs

Feeding is one of the main ongoing costs of keeping chickens. Silkies have voracious appetites for such small birds. Expect to spend:

• Prepared feed – $15 – $25 monthly for a high-quality complete feed designed for bantam chickens.

• Treats – $5 – $10 monthly for treats like mealworms, fruits and veggies. Go easy on treats though.

• Grit – $5 – $10 monthly for insoluble grit to help digestion.

• Oyster shell – $5 monthly for a calcium supplement source. Vital for laying hens.

So in total, budget around $30 – $50 per month to feed just a few Silkies. Buy feed in bulk to save money.

Healthcare Costs

Keeping Silkies healthy involves some healthcare costs including:

• Vaccinations – $25 – $40 for starter vaccinations against common poultry diseases.

• Checkups – $30 – $50 annually for general flock checkups and fecal tests for parasites.

• Medications – $20 – $30 annually for dewormers, mite treatments etc.

• Vet visits – $50+ for any emergency vet visits if birds become ill or injured.

Budget around $100 – $150 annually for basic healthcare for a small Silkie flock. Having an emergency vet fund is also wise.

Miscellaneous Costs

Some other costs involved with raising Silkies include:

• Electricity – $10 – $20 monthly for coop/run lighting and heating. Silkies dislike cold weather.

• Bedding disposal – $10 – $20 monthly if you don’t compost the old coop bedding on-site.

• Taxes & insurance – $50 – $150 annually depending on your municipality’s laws.

• Cleaning supplies – $10 – $20 monthly for disinfectants, soaps etc.

Potential Income from Silkies

Owners can make some income from Silkies by:

• Selling fertile eggs – $5 – $15 per dozen eggs.

• Selling chicks and pullets. Chicks fetch $5 – $20 each. Pullets around $20 – $50.

• Selling older hens. Breeding quality hens sell for $40 – $100+. Show winners sell for $150+.

• Winning poultry shows. Some prize money can be earned.

So whilst income from Silkies can help offset costs, don’t expect to make big profits. View them more as rewarding pets.

To summarize, the total cost of purchasing and raising Silkies:

Initial costs

• Purchase birds: $20 – $100 per bird

• Housing setup: $500 – $1500

Monthly costs

• Feed: $30 – $50

• Bedding & supplies: $20 – $40

• Energy, insurance etc: $20 – $40

Annual costs

• Healthcare: $100 – $150

• Taxes: $50 – $150

Total first year cost: $1000 – $2000

Following years: $500 – $1000 annually

So in conclusion, Silkies aren’t too expensive compared to other chickens. Budget around $1000 – $2000 in the first year, then $500 – $1000 annually after that for a small flock. Ensure you have an emergency vet fund too.

Silkies bring many rewards that outweigh their costs. But forewarned is forearmed – understand their care requirements and be prepared for the expenses involved before buying your first fluffy Silkie!

Silkie chickens typically live for 7-9 years with proper care. However, some Silkies have been known to live longer, with some individuals reaching 10 years or more.

Silkies are generally considered low to moderately high maintenance, depending on the specific needs of the owner and the environmental conditions.