Currently have a broody Silkie hen. Should I shove a couple quail eggs under her?

[PrincessKiara]

Can she hatch them or will she just break them?

 

[featheredplanets]

From what I’ve read, it’s a difficult thing to do with small success. Quail have a different ‘language’ to chickens so it’s difficult for them to learn from the chickens. There’s also the fact that they are tinier than any chicken chicks and are very fragile.

This video is cute and informative

 

[Silkiechicken66]

I would only give quail eggs to a serama hen, if that. They would be so small and fragile that they could be easily harmed.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

Yes, I read a lot of examples of Seramas hatching quails and also teach them though the language difficulties.

But in the german chicken forum, where I am also registered, a few ppl also hatched quails with Silkies, BUT they removed them from the hen after hatching.
They placed also a few Silky eggs under the broody hen (Time shifted, so that hatch day is the same) that the hen isn't mourning loosing all chicks!

It worked most times.

 

[FloorCandy]

Yes, I read a lot of examples of Seramas hatching quails and also teach them though the language difficulties.

But in the german chicken forum, where I am also registered, a few ppl also hatched quails with Silkies, BUT they removed them from the hen after hatching.
They placed also a few Silky eggs under the broody hen (Time shifted, so that hatch day is the same) that the hen isn't mourning loosing all chicks!

It worked most times.

I’ve heard the same, the quail are too active and exploratory, and get tangled in the silky feathers. You should move to a brooder if they hatch.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

I’ve heard the same, the quail are too active and exploratory, and get tangled in the silky feathers. You should move to a brooder if they hatch.

Exactly, ... this was also reported in the german forum, with the fethers of the Silkies!