Can a silkie hatch and brood chicks in an Indiana winter?

[joebryant]

My silkie is going broodie AGAIN. If I were to put six to eight fertile eggs under her now, would she be able to bring the eggs to hatching, and then could she keep the chicks warm enough until they got enough feathers? If I had to, I could plug in a red heat lamp for the chicks if I had to.

EDIT: I could also incubate a dozen eggs in my incubator and replace the two wooden eggs that she's setting now with the chicks when they hatch.

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Why not? We have a Silkie sitting on 4 eggs right now.

 

[horsechick]

We have one sitting on 4 eggs now too.
They should be hatching soon. We have candled and they were growing.
We'll see how many hatch. Figured we would have to take them from her?
Best of luck,
Angela

 

[Teresaann24]

They can do it I am in kentucky and just a bit of advice if they do not hatch on day 21 dont worry mine did not hatch till day 26 I learned this the hard way. CANDLE BEFORE BREAKING ANY OPEN!

 

[jimnjay]

Once the babies hatch give momma and babies a light, I have had a baby freeze to death during winter here in Alabama. If they get out from under mommy during the night and can't see to get back where they belong the go fast. It really is best to collect the eggs and let her get over being broody and let her set later in the winter. It is a very tought time for babies to grow when the temperatures are down or a regular basis. It is possible but not ideal by a long shot.

 

[joebryant]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice. It has turned out that the silkie hen is not broodie this morning. If she does go broodie later, I'll know now what to do and what not to do.