All Silkies have black or bluish skin, bones and grayish-black meat. They do carry the polydactyl gene and come in breaded and non bearded varities. Silkie chickens lay about 120 eggs per year.  They are mainly kept as pets in most backyard flocks.  Their feathers feel like silk and are adorable to watch in your backyard. We are working on a calico flock using different color silkies instead of introducing different breeds. Chicks may come out calico, red, chocolate, black, white, buff or splash.