Both China and Japan claim the origin of these unique bantams, and the earliest recorded history of Silkies occurs in Marco Polo's writings about his travels to the Orient. Their black skin and feathers that feel much like hair make them one of our most unusual varieties of chickens.Our Silkies come both bearded and non-bearded and are excellent setters on all types of eggs. They are striking in appearance with their white plumage and mulberry colored comb, face, and wattles. The ear lobes are a light blue turquoise and the skin is dark bluish/black. They are a table delicacy in the orient.