Bantam chickens themselves are one of the oldest domestic animals and Silkies were first recorded by explorer Marco Polo in south china near the town of Quelinsu in 1298. Saying they had hair like cats and lay the best of eggs. Silkies get their name due to their unique feathering which lacks barbicels that hold normal feathers together and makes them appear to have hair.
Silkies are unique in other ways as well with black bones, skin, blue ear lobes and 5 toes instead of the normal 4 on other breeds. Something else they have is a hole in the top of their skull and at times the brain matter pushes thru giving them what we call a vault (bump) on the head. They can be bearded (feathers under beak & ears) or non bearded which is no feathers under beak or near ears. They are also the only chicken with what is called a walnut comb, which in simple terms is a circle shape comb with prominences "ridges".
The silkies are known for their sweet temperment and very broody (mothering) attitude. Gamebird farmers often use them for hatching out eggs that their more flighty stock will not hatch out. Males silkies are well known for caring for chicks.

Silkie is also an alternate spelling of Selkie, a mythical creature that can change between seal and humane form.
Scientific Name: Gallus domesticius    Feeding Type: Omnivore    Class: Aves    Order: Galliformes    Family: Phasianidae
Lay an average of 100 eggs per year
They will be able to start reproducing between 5 months and 9 months old.
Life span: 5 + years
The United States American Poultry Association's standard of perfection in 1874, and currently has 8 accepted colors (Black, White, Blue, Splash, Buff, Gray, Partridge, Self Blue) .
In the UK  there are five recognised colours,White, Black, Blue, Gold and  Partridge. And than they have four different types, large fowl, bantam, large fowl bearded and bantam bearded.