Silkie mother issues

Silkiebeginner · Apr 18, 2017

Hi all, I am new to silkies and new to my silkies being broodies and having chicks. That is I had quite a few successful broodies with many offspring but one re-occurring worry I have is that the newborns (up to three weeks) seem to be vulnerable to being strangled by the moms underbelly feathers. So far I lost one chick to that and I saved a few in where I was in time to untangle the unlucky victim. Did anyone had a similar experience and does anyone have advise how to prevent these accidents from happening? Thanks for any suggestions, Arnaud

Abriana · Apr 27, 2017

Maybe you could trim the mom's stomach feathers. I know some people trim around the eyes, which can be especially important if the mother has chicks so she can watch for predators. Trimming the stomach feathers won't affect the chicks warmth because the mother hen naturally loses feathers on her chest when she is broody. They are called brood patches and the hen will keep the eggs in theses patches up against her skin to keep the eggs warmer. Hopefully that helps.

Silkiebeginner · Apr 28, 2017

Thank you Abriana, that sounds like an excellent suggestion. I will do that with our next broody silkie, best Arnaud

M Claire · Apr 21, 2020

Hello, I am just leaving my story on all of these threads as a warning. Silkies have wonderful mothering instincts, but I have picked six caught babies out our silkie's feathers and today I was too late and lost a beautiful month-old crested polish baby. I will never work with a silkie broody again. Our two pekin bantams always pluck themselves clean and I have never, ever had this problem.

Silkie mother issues

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