Broody Silkie

[sweetappleacres]

I knew to both owning chickens & this forum. One of my silkies has been laying her eggs. at first I kept gathering them as she laid them but I read if I wanted them to hatch I needed to leave them there and she would get broody once there were enough eggs which is what I've now been doing. But I have also read that leaving them are a waste of eggs. I'm so confused. Does anyone know the answer to this dilemma? Do I pick them up and store them or leave them? We live in Texas and the summer heat is awful. Please help!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! You will know when your Silkie is broody & ready to hatch eggs when she sits on the nest day and night, even if there are no eggs under her. She will growl and you and puff up her feathers, there is no mistaking a broody! If she displays these characteristics, you can leave the fertile eggs under her to hatch. Good luck to you. Check out this forum, lots of good info here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying

 

[BantamFan4Life]

 

[sweetappleacres]

thanks liz9910. I know they're fertilized bc I caught the rooster on top of her & her feathers are strewn all across the coop. I just don't see her sitting on the eggs yet.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[CedarAcres]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!

So glad to have you here. Liz gave you some good information! Good luck to you!

 

[drumstick diva]

Then she doesn't feel broody - maybe she is out of a zillion who doesn't go broody.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Great to have you aboard!

 

[sweetappleacres]

I actually think she's brooding now. I went to go check on her & there's another egg but now she's sitting on them. We tried to move her & she wasn't happy. She went right back to her spot. Keeping my fingers crossed she's brooding now & that they hatch since I've kept the eggs out there since sunday. If not, at least todays will I'm sure.

 

[sweetappleacres]

Thank you! everyone is so nice!