Broody Hen?

[CHICKENFARMER22]

So my silkie hen hasn't been laying me any eggs in a while. She has also been laying on some eggs in a nest box at night but during the day she doesn't. Should I put her and some eggs in a quiet house for her or not? Also is she going broody?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

She may be going broody. Don't give her fertile eggs until about 4 days or so of her being serious about being broody. In other words, don't giver her fertile eggs until she is sitting on them 24/7.

 

[MyPetNugget]

Does she have any feathers on her tummy? If not, then she is probably broody.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

@Mountain Peeps
I have 3 unfertile eggs under her right now but she only sit on them at night. She has started sitting on them at night 3 days ago.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

@MyPetNugget
I will check her right now! I found two feather of hers in the nest box yesterday.

 

[MyPetNugget]

Also, I think silkies are on the top of the list for most likely to be broody. I never had one, but I hear that they are like non- stop broody.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

Yeah they are! If my hen sits on the eggs tonight but not during the day should I put her in a dog crate or something or just leave her alone?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yeah they are! If my hen sits on the eggs tonight but not during the day should I put her in a dog crate or something or just leave her alone?

If you aren't wanting chicks, I'd just leave her, unless you have other hens who need to use the nest.

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

I really want chicks! What would you do?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I really want chicks! What would you do?

I would put her in a separate in closer, give her food and water. Once she is serious, I would give her some fertile eggs.