Day 22, what do you think?

[Merchris]

I have a little silkie that decided to sit on 3 of her eggs about 22 days ago. We're pretty sure the daddy is a Polish rooster. As of this morning, there's no action in the nest. It hasn't been cold here, but we've had a few nights that went to the 40's but she's been there all day every day except 1x a day to come out, eat, take a bath and then get back to business.

My question is...how long should I let her sit on them before we know nothing is going to happen? I'm sort of afraid of breaking her heart if I take them, but I if they don't hatch soon, I don't want her to continue to lose weight either. This is the first chicken we've had try to do this, so I'm a little uneducated on the subject.

 

[MissPrissy]

Give her a few more days. The counting of days doesn't start until she laid the last one and finally settled in to brood.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Leave her with them...she will know when its time to get up if nothing is going to happen....

 

[Merchris]

I just got nervous, because I read somewhere that a broody hen will starve herself to death by sitting on eggs. Of course we wouldn't let her sit on them forever, but I wasn't sure how long to give her, or if you had a cross like that if the timing might be off a little.

Thanks for the help.

 

[MissPrissy]

Don't let her starve. Take a small dish of food and a dish of water out to where she is and put it right in front of her. See if she will eat a bit. She won't get off those eggs because the end days are critical. This is where you can 'boil the water' so to speak while you wait for the baby(ies). Help if she needs it by making sure she has the food and water but doesn't have to get off those eggs to get it.

edited for typos

 

[Merchris]

The good thing is that she is getting off at least 1x a day and pigs out, takes a quick sand bath and hurries back. She sort of reminds me of me when I'm late for work!! Hurry, hurry, hurry!! My husband put a flashlight to the eggs a few weeks ago and said he couldn't really see thru 2 of them, not sure what that means, like I said...this is our first time!

I did put a dish of food and water near her so she doesn't have to go very far....I guess now it's a waiting game. Did I mention I wasn't gifted with much patience??!!!!!

 

[WriterofWords]

I think it so interesting how the birds know it is time to abandon the eggs. My duck sat and sat and one day just got up and walked away and never looked back. I opened the eggs and they weren't fertile, but she had given it her best~!
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