The Silkie breed has several additional unusual characteristics, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot [most chickens only have four].
Silkies appear in various colors, however, pure white is most common. The feathers are white because there is no melanin to color them. White silkies are not albinos, these would have pink eyes. Other colors are blue, black, grey, buff, splash, and partridge. Lavender, cuckoo, and red Silkies are also available.
Today’s image shows a Silkie hen from the side.