What is a Showgirl Chicken? The Glitzy Glam Gals of the Chicken World

For those looking to add a bit of Vegas flair to their backyard flock, look no further than the Showgirl chicken. With their over-the-top feathered headdresses, flashy personalities, and eye-catching looks, Showgirls are the glitziest glamour gals of the chicken world.

A Brief History of Showgirl Chickens

The Showgirl chicken is a relatively new arrival on the chicken breeding scene, first making appearances in the early 2000s. They came about from breeders crossing two uniquely odd-looking chicken breeds – the Silkie and the Transylvanian Naked Neck.

Because their feathers don’t have stiff barbicels, silkies are known for having fluffy, fur-like fur. This gives them an endearing fuzzy appearance. Naked Necks, which are also called Turkens, get their name from the fact that their necks don’t have feathers and look like a turkey’s wattles.

Breeders crossed a Naked Neck with a Silkie to make a fun new breed that had the best of both worlds: the fluffy look of the Silkie and the bare neck of the Naked Neck. The end result was a funny, interesting, and full of personality chicken.

What Does a Showgirl Chicken Look Like?

Picture a Silkie chicken with a naked neck topped by a poufy plume of feathers, looking almost like a Las Vegas showgirl’s headdress That’s your classic Showgirl!

They typically have:

• Small-to-medium sized bodies, averaging 4-6 lbs
• Fluffy plumage courtesy of their Silkie parentage
• Bare necks with a tuft or crest of feathers on the head
• Occasional sparse neck feathers resembling a brooch
• Silkie traits like black skin, dark beak and eyes, dark wattles
• Five toes instead of the usual four

There are showgirls in every color of the rainbow, but white is the most common. They also come in black, buff, blue, lavender, red, and different patterns, such as cuckoos, spangled, partridge, and splashed colors.

What’s the Temperament of Showgirl Chickens?

You might expect a big personality from a chicken named Showgirl, and you wouldn’t be wrong! Most Showgirls live up to their diva-esque name, displaying confidence, curiosity, and plenty of spunk.

Their typical traits include:

• Confident, curious, and active temperament
• Intelligent and easily trained – they can even learn tricks!
• Friendly and enjoy human interaction – great for kids
• Generally peaceful with other chickens
• Some roosters may be a bit bossy with flockmates
• Loud, attention-seeking vocalizations

Showgirls are friendly and would be a fun addition to any backyard flock, especially if you want a chicken with a bit of sass! They also get their sweet, obedient behavior from their Silkie ancestors.

How Do Showgirl Chickens For Eggs?

While Showgirls are bred first and foremost for exhibition purposes, they can still lay a respectable number of eggs, thanks to their hard-working heritage from production breeds like Leghorns.

You can expect:

• Around 200 eggs annually per hen
• Medium-sized white or tinted eggs
• Peak laying around the first year, with steady production 2-3 years

The exact output will vary based on individual hens. But even though they aren’t bred for heavy egg laying, Showgirls will still provide a nice supply of eggs for personal use.

Are Showgirl Chickens Hardy and Healthy Birds?

Showgirls are typically quite robust, inheriting excellent health and cold tolerance from their Silkie and Naked Neck ancestors. Both parent breeds are very hardy with few health problems.

A few things to watch for include:

• Their fluffy Silkie feathers mean they dislike wet conditions. Provide shelter.
• Heat tolerance can be iffy – cool them in very hot weather.
• Monitor toes/feet for injuries with their extra toes.
• Guard against predators due to poor survival instincts.

Aside from taking a few extra precautions, Showgirls are generally easy-keeping and vigorous chickens perfect for urban and suburban flocks.

Tips for Raising Showgirl Chickens

Caring for these glamorous chickens is similar to raising their parent breeds:

Housing:

• A fully enclosed coop is safest due to their poor survival skills
• Ensure proper ventilation due to their fur-like plumage
• Use wide perches to accommodate their extra toes
• Nest boxes for egg laying

Feeding:

• High-quality layer feed
• Treats like fruits, veggies, mealworms
• Oyster shell for calcium
• Grit to aid digestion

Health Management:

• Check feet/toes regularly for injuries
• Control mites/lice if issues arise
• Quarantine new additions before introducing them

Exercise and Enrichment:

• Give them ample outdoor space to scratch, dust bathe, and forage
• Provide toys, platforms, and roosts indoors
• Supervise outside time – they have poor predator awareness

Breeding and Chicks:

• Best to incubate eggs artificially due to poor broody survival rates
• Start chicks on medicated feed and keep warm
• Expect chicks to be autosexing based on fast/slow feathering

The Pros and Cons of Showgirl Chickens

Pros:

• Entertaining personalities and stunning looks
• Generally healthy and robust
• Lay a decent number of eggs
• Docile and kid-friendly

Cons:

• Require protection from predators
• Prone to getting picked on by assertive flockmates
• Roosters can be quite vocal
• Need extra care in very cold or very hot weather

Are Showgirl Chickens Right for You?

For chicken keepers who want a bit of flashy plumage and pizzazz in their flock, Showgirls are a great option. These quirky chickens live up to their Vegas name with head-turning style and plenty of personality. They also produce a nice supply of eggs and enjoy human company.

Just be ready for their glamorous grooming requirements and vocal tendencies! Showgirls need more protection than hardy utility breeds but make up for it with their uniqueness. If you’re seeking a conversation-starting chicken that will keep you entertained, the Showgirl may just be the breed for you.