1 is developing! Question?

[BlossomSilkies]

This is Ling Ling (white) and Yi-Lang (partridge). Yi-Lang has gone broody so I let her have a few of Ling Ling's eggs to sit on. I candled them tonight and 1 is developing! Hoping for at least 1 cute little Silkie in a couple weeks!

This will be my first time doing this so I'm very excited.

One probably dumb question, but I have to ask...Will my broody eat and drink at all? should I provide some food and water for her? (she is sitting in a nest box in the coop) I have not noticed her coming out at all to eat.

 

[Judy]

Usually they get up once a day to eat, drink and poop, and maybe forage for a few minutes or otherwise get some exercise. Occasionally one will not get up enough and lose a lot of weight. Very rarely, they will die.

It's a good idea not to leave the food and water very close, so they at least have to walk a bit. Actually, I take them off the nest at least once a day to be sure. Mine don't seem to lose weight. They have a strong instinct to get back on the eggs so they won't stay off long.

They will steal others' eggs and others will lay iin their nest if they can, so if the nest is in the coop with others, It's a good idea to mark the eggs and remove new ones. (Another reson to pick them up and set them out; makes this easy.)

Here's an article and a thread about broodies if you're interested:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=594909

Some people leave the hen in with the flock, some separate them. I've gotten away with leaving most of them in with the flock -- and mine definitely stay with the flock to raise the chicks. Personal choice.

 

[Jewels1935]

Beautiful chickens!! Keep food and water nearby. I agree with getting them off the nest once a day to excersise and do their thing. Mama will know when it's time to tend to her babies.

 

[BlossomSilkies]

My first thought was to let her handle this, she knows what she's doing better than I do. I will make sure she gets out once a day. I didn't see her leave the nest box at all today.

Good article!

Thank you both for replying

 

[seminolewind]

My silkies forget all about eating. So I take them off the nest and put them on the ground daily. I also have provided food and water close by as well.