A great many of us feel the need to get back to basics in these troubled and uncertain times. In recent years we at Third Age have grown an increasing amount of our own food. Keeping chickens seemed a natural extention of our plans for self sufficiency, and finally we have our girls installed in their new home.
 
We plumped for Silkies, pretty little chickens that are believed to have their origins in China. Because of their wonderfully friendly disposition, Silkies make ideal family pets for those looking to keep a couple of chickens whilst not necessarily being committed to a self sufficient lifestyle.

Let’s be honest, our girls might be pretty, but Silkies are not necessarily the best layers in the world. But for two people who eat only half a dozen eggs a fortnight, one could do an awful lot worse.

Aside from the fact that they are more friendly than most chickens, Silkies are also considerably less destructive than the average chook. And while they might be small in stature, they more than make up for this in character.
 
So, meet Dolly and Tammy, our 22-week-old Silkie chickens. No prizes for guessing who they’re named after, but suffice to say, Dolly’s the looker!

Editor, Third Age.