If you’ve fallen in love with those adorable fluffy Silkie chickens and are wondering about adding some to your backyard flock, one of the first questions you probably have is: how much do these cute birds actually cost? I’ve been raising chickens for years, and Silkies are among my absolute favorites – but their pricing can vary quite a bit depending on several factors.
Silkie Chicken Price Range Overview
Based on current market prices here’s what you can expect to pay for Silkie chickens in various forms
- Hatching eggs: $4-$15 each
- Baby chicks: $5.80-$40 each
- Adult birds: $40-$100 each
The price varies significantly based on quality, coloration age, and where you buy them from. Let me break this down in more detail so you can make an informed decision.
Why Silkies Are Worth Their Price
Before diving into specific costs, let’s talk about why Silkies are so special. These birds aren’t just chickens – they’re like the teddy bears of the poultry world!
- Incredibly soft, fur-like feathers
- Docile, friendly temperament (great with kids!)
- Unique appearance with their fluffy crests
- Known for being broody and excellent mothers
- Available in several beautiful colors
- Take up less space than standard chickens
- Eat less food than larger breeds
My neighbor’s children absolutely adore their Silkies and spend hours playing with them, These birds are seriously that friendly!
Cost Breakdown by Source
1. Buying from Hatcheries
Online hatcheries like Cackle Hatchery offer Silkies at competitive prices. As of my latest check, they price their Silkie chicks as follows:
- Single color varieties: $5.80 each
- Silkie Bantam Special: $5.41 each
- Bulk discount pricing: The more you buy, the less you pay per chick
Cackle Hatchery offers Black, Blue, Buff, Splash, and White Silkies with show-quality bloodlines bred to APA and ABA standards. These come with the characteristic five toes and walnut comb.
2. Local Breeders and Farm Stores
Local breeders typically charge:
- Chicks: $10-$40 each
- Adult hens: $40-$75 each
- Show-quality birds: $75-$100+ each
I bought a quality group of three Silkie hens and a cockerel for about $150 total from a local auction. They were 30-week-old birds just starting to lay, which is typically when they reach peak value.
3. Online Marketplaces
Places like eBay, Craigslist, Gumtree, and Facebook groups also sell Silkies. Prices here can range widely:
- Hatching eggs: Usually $4-$15 each
- Chicks: $15-$25 each
- Adults: $25-$50 each
I’ve found some great deals on Facebook poultry groups, but always be careful and check the reputation of sellers before purchasing.
Price Factors for Silkie Chickens
Several factors affect how much you’ll pay for a Silkie:
Age of the Bird
The older the bird, the more expensive it typically is:
- Hatching eggs: Cheapest option ($4-$15)
- Day-old chicks: Mid-range ($5.80-$40)
- Point-of-lay pullets: Premium ($40-$75)
- Mature birds: Highest price ($50-$100)
Color Varieties
Some colors are rarer and command higher prices:
- Common colors (White, Black): Lower end of price range
- Less common colors (Blue, Buff, Splash): Mid to high price range
- Rare colors: Highest prices
Show Quality vs. Pet Quality
- Pet quality: $15-$25
- Breeding quality: $25-$50
- Show quality: $50-$100+
Show quality birds that conform perfectly to breed standards will cost significantly more than birds with minor flaws kept as pets.
Certifications and Health
Birds from NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) certified flocks typically cost more but come with health guarantees.
The True Cost of Owning Silkies
Beyond the purchase price, you should consider these ongoing costs:
Setup Costs
- Coop: $200-$500 (can be less if you DIY)
- Brooder setup (for chicks): $50-$100
- Basic supplies: $100-$150
Annual Costs
- Feed: $50-$100 per bird annually (Silkies eat less than standard chickens)
- Bedding: $30-$50 annually
- Healthcare: $20-$100 depending on needs
The good news is that Silkies are bantams, so they need less space and eat less food than standard-sized chickens. This makes their maintenance cost lower than larger breeds.
Where to Buy Silkie Chickens
Here are some reliable sources for purchasing Silkie chickens:
-
Online Hatcheries
- Cackle Hatchery (ships February through August)
- Meyer Hatchery
- Murray McMurray Hatchery
-
Local Sources
- Local breeders (find through poultry clubs)
- Farm supply stores (seasonal availability)
- Livestock auctions
- Facebook poultry groups
-
Online Marketplaces
- Craigslist
- eBay (for hatching eggs)
- Facebook Marketplace
- Gumtree (UK)
Tips for Buying Silkies
When I bought my first Silkies, I made some mistakes. Learn from my experience:
- Check for health indicators: Bright eyes, clean vent, active behavior
- Verify breed characteristics: True Silkies have 5 toes, black skin, and fluffy feathers
- Ask about lineage: Better breeding = better birds
- Consider getting vaccinated birds: Worth the extra cost
- Buy from NPIP certified sources: Reduces disease risk
DIY Option: Hatching Your Own Silkies
The cheapest way to get into Silkies is buying hatching eggs and incubating them yourself:
Incubator Method
- Cost of incubator: $50-$100 for a small model
- Cost of eggs: $4-$15 each
- Success rate: Typically 50-70% hatch rate for shipped eggs
Broody Hen Method
- If you already have a broody hen, she can hatch and raise the chicks
- No additional equipment needed
- More natural process with typically higher success rates
I’ve used both methods. My broody Silkie hen actually hatched eggs much more successfully than my first attempts with an incubator!
Are Silkies Worth The Money?
In my experience, absolutely yes! They’re not the most productive egg layers (about 100 small cream-colored eggs annually), but what they lack in production they make up for in personality and charm.
As pets, they’re incredible – friendly, docile, and absolutely gorgeous. My kids named all of our Silkies and treat them like feathered teddy bears. They’re also incredible mothers if you want to hatch other breeds of chickens.
Final Thoughts
When considering the cost of Silkie chickens, remember you’re not just paying for a bird – you’re investing in a unique, wonderful pet that will bring joy for years to come. While initial costs may seem high compared to standard chickens, their lower feed requirements and smaller housing needs help offset the price over time.
I recommend starting with 3-4 Silkies if you’re new to chicken keeping. This gives you a nice small flock without overwhelming your space or budget. And trust me – once you see those fluffy little creatures strutting around your yard, you’ll know your money was well spent!
Have you kept Silkies before? What did you pay for yours? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
Introduction to Bearded Silkie Chickens
Bearded Silkie Chickens are one of the U.K’s favourite pet chicken breeds, they come in many colour variations and their gentle natures and soft feathering make them ideal pets for children. Easy to care for and handle, they are cute balls of feathery floof. Silkies were the very first bird we began rearing and as such, we have an expert knowledge and reputation for raising the best Silkies in the UK. We love them…. how could you not?!
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.
This breed make wonderful pets for both adults and children, they will have a docile nature and will be easy to handle, they will enjoy human interaction and company.
This breed will lay up to 150 medium cream to white coloured eggs per year, they are known for being broody.
Silky Chicken – What You Need To Know – 101
FAQ
How much does a Silkie chicken cost?
The website explains that Silkies are a popular and unique breed of chicken known for their fluffy, soft feathers and small size, which contributes to their higher price compared to more common chicken breeds. Cackle Hatchery offers Silkie chickens for sale, with prices ranging from $4.95 to $8.95 per chick, depending on the color variety.
Are Silkies expensive?
As you can see, Silkies aren’t expensive, neither to buy nor to raise. There are no excuses, if you’re enchanted by their fuzzy appearance and have been debating whether or not to get some – do it. The best advice is to be careful and do some due diligence when buying chicks, either online or in person.
Are Silkies good pets?
Silkies are, in my opinion, one of the most fun and rewarding breeds to keep and raise as pets. Here are some of the top reasons to raise Silkies: Backyard chickens aren’t that expensive. The largest outright cost is a coop, then it’s just bedding, feed, and other small miscellaneous costs.
Are Silkie Bantams a good breed?
Silkies are one of the most popular – and unique breeds of backyard chickens. It’s also hard to deny they are the cutest looking chickens with their fuzzy coats. If you want to raise Silkies, here’s where to buy them online and how much to expect to pay. How Much Do Silkie Bantams Cost?
Why should you raise Silkies?
Here are some of the top reasons to raise Silkies: Backyard chickens aren’t that expensive. The largest outright cost is a coop, then it’s just bedding, feed, and other small miscellaneous costs. Coop aside, the estimated annual cost for keeping 10 chickens is around just $1,000.
Do Silkies lay eggs?
Silkies lay smaller eggs than regular chickens. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, as they’re smaller in stature. They also lay less than most of the common backyard breeds, like Comets, Rhode Island Reds, and Sussex chickens. Generally speaking, you can expect around 100 eggs a year.
Why are Silkies expensive?