Black and White Silkie Chickens with yellow Chicks Placemat

This photograph was digitally altered, making the background black and white, but leaving the three chicks in color. The photo is of two silky chicken hens, one buff the other white as they lay together while watching over their newly hatched family of yellow baby chicks. Eager to see the world, two babies peer out from just above the brown mothers' wing another chick pokes out behind the mother leg. An adorable scene. The Silkie (sometimes alternatively spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four. They are often exhibited in poultry shows, and appear in various colors. In addition to their distinctive physical characteristics, Silkies are well known for their calm, friendly temperament. Among the most docile of poultry, Silkies are considered an ideal pet. Hens are also exceptionally broody, and make good mothers. Though they are fair layers themselves, laying about three eggs a week, they are commonly used to hatch eggs from other breeds and bird species.