Are Silkies Ideal Broodies?

[Lilorp14]

I'm considering getting a Silkie hen to raise new chicks every spring. I know they go broody more than any other chickens pretty much, but are their feathers less insulating because they are thinner? Also, they're extremely protective, right? (Basically, If you've had a silkie mama tell me about how she did ) I just want to make sure my baby chooks are warm and protected

Thanks!

 

[EarEigna]

My silkies have always made ok moms. Although they aren't known as being a bright chicken breed so I try to keep them contained. A more free range silkie mom is not quite as good

I prefer my Cochins as broodies. They're extra good moms and can fit more eggs under them

 

[sourland]

Silkies are excellent at brooding and hatching eggs. They sometimes have problems protecting chicks from larger more dominant flock mates.

 

[sylviethecochin]

My silkies are excellent mothers, highly maternal, and very protective. They're also large (for silkies) single-combed, and have a few more tailfeathers than is acceptable. (Just saying that they might not be good representations of the breed. But that's Ideal for you.) Mine can cover nine standard eggs, each, when it's warm out.

My silkie crosses are better mothers. They can cover more eggs, are more aggressive, and do the "omnicidal feather bomb" much better than a pure silkie can. They can cover about a 11-13 each, though it varies widely.

 

[Lilorp14]

My silkies are excellent mothers, highly maternal, and very protective. They're also large (for silkies) single-combed, and have a few more tailfeathers than is acceptable. (Just saying that they might not be good representations of the breed. But that's Ideal for you.) Mine can cover nine standard eggs, each, when it's warm out.

My silkie crosses are better mothers. They can cover more eggs, are more aggressive, and do the "omnicidal feather bomb" much better than a pure silkie can. They can cover about a 11-13 each, though it varies widely.

Good to know, but what is an omnicidal feather bomb?

 

[EarEigna]

Pull out the Ninja Chicken card.

Wings out. Head down. And LEAP! CHARGE! PECK!

 

[Lilorp14]

Lol cute! Just hope mine follows the rules of chicken karate and only used it in self defense. Don't want any bitter broodies.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Good to know, but what is an omnicidal feather bomb?

An omnicidal feather bomb is what happens when this peaceful, languid-looking creature

Meets this:

Or this:

Or even this:

It results in this:

And only the first, third, and fourth pictures are mine. Though last time my cat looked weird at a chick, the (first-time mother) hen went after him so fast, he hit the shed wall in an attempt to get away.

 

[EarEigna]

The poor cats never expect it do they?

"I've shared this chickens food and water daily for ages. I've kept their nests nice and warm as they're perfect cat snoozing shape. Why would she attack me out of the blue?!?!?!!"

 

[sylviethecochin]

The poor cats never expect it do they?

"I've shared this chickens food and water daily for ages. I've kept their nests nice and warm as they're perfect cat snoozing shape. Why would she attack me out of the blue?!?!?!!"

Oh, Pippin knows what's up at this point. But I'm pretty sure that he gets mesmerised by the little scurrying peeping things for the crucial second before his memory kicks in and the "OH SH-T!" realisation comes.

I could actually see his tail begin to twitch--and then his eyes widened dramatically and he scrammed. Sadly, I think that only spurred her on.