Broody silkie...just give her the eggs?

[halfpintlc]

I have a bantam silkie that has decided to go broody, and she is sitting on nothing right now, as I took the eggs this morning. She has been trying to sit for a few days, but stayed off the nest when I moved her. Today she went back. I only have one of her eggs, but I have six from my RSL girls. Should I just give her those eggs, or try to wait for more of her own? I have more from her, but they have been refrigerated. What is everyone's experience having a bantam raise standard sized chicks?

 

[JedJackson]

She won't lay while she's broody, so if you want more of her eggs to brood, you will have to wait until she lays and then goes broody again, if she does go broody again. There are no guarantees she will. Or give her the eggs you have now and let her at it. It's your choice entirely.

If you do give her the eggs, mark them so you know which are the originals in case other hens try to lay more in her nest. That doesn't work out well because new eggs won't have time to hatch, as she will be off the nest with the chicks from her original clutch before then.

 

[halfpintlc]

Thank you. I think I will give her the eggs. This is my first time with a broody so I am totally winging it.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

I have a bantam rhode island red who's being broody for 2 weeks now; flat as a pancake, her eyes popped out of their sockets and super aggressive, well for a bantam. Not sure if this was the right thing to do but had to force her out a few times so she would drink and eat a little. She wasn't too happy but obviously depleted. The egg she's sitting on isn't hers but I carefully candled at it and do see what seems like spider webs / blood vessels, no expert here so could be off.

The fun part is I'm pretty sure it's Brahma egg so mom is up for a surprise if all aligns...

 

[halfpintlc]

No aggressiveness here...yet. But she has no desire to get off that nest. I just put the eggs under her, so we'll see what happens. I may move her to the other side of the coop that is closed off from everyone else and give her her own water and food. I am concerned about her not getting enough and will probably make her get up, as well.

 

[halfpintlc]

She will most likely be very surprised as well with what hatches.

 

[TeenageRooster's Dad]

She will most likely be very surprised as well with what hatches.

Good luck halfpintlc! yea that was my concern too... my pancake chicken wouldn't even move for drinks and food. I jist moved her to the bachelor's coop and she's been eating quite a bit... including my finger when delivering said food. I kinda hope it hatches now, would be fun to see what Brahma + Dutch rooster looks like.. then high five Baby Rooster.

 

[halfpintlc]

Thanks! I figure she is afraid to get up, she has been kicking everyone out of there. I will be keeping my fingers back for sure! You will have to post some pics of the little one if all goes well.

 

[sourland]

Bantams hatch and raise large fowl chicks with no problem. Heck, I have had them hatch and raise, ducklings, large fowl, Guinea fowl and even pea fowl.

 

[halfpintlc]

Yay! I didn't really think it would be a problem, but this is my first hatch (hopefully) and I've only had chickens for about 9 months, so I guess I am a nervous new mom. I actually got silkies for this reason, so I guess it worked.