Giving Silkie eggs to broody Ameraucauna

[Feldmanntanya]

We have a broody Ameraucauna hen. Thinking about giving her Silkie eggs to sit on and hatch. Thoughts?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you have any specific concerns or worries? Personally I would not hesitate but I don't know what you are worried about as long as the hen was truly broody and you have a rooster so the eggs are fertile.

 

[Feldmanntanya]

I am only concerned about the Silkies being smaller than our flock. We have ten hens and one roo. We got the Silkie eggs from a friend.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That helps, thanks. But other questions. Are the Silkies bantams or full sized? And what breed is your rooster? A bantam Silkie hen probably weighs around 2 pounds. A full-sized Silkie hen might weigh 6 pounds. Quite a bit of difference.

A Jersey Giant or Brahma rooster would be pretty big with either Silkie. An Ameraucana rooster should not be a problem with the full-sized Silkie, could be if they are bantam.

So what are you working with?