Grafting chicks...

[leggomyegg0]

I have a broody silkie (she's not sitting on any eggs, but insists she wants to be a momma) and just got an order of black sex links in. I will hand raise the majority, but can anyone tell me the max number that the hen should be able to foster sucessfully?

Thanks,
Claudette

 

[sourland]

A lot depends upon the ambient temperatures where you live. In a warm environment a silky hen can readily raise 6 - 8 or more large fowl. This time of year in a cooler clime 4 might be a more workable number. The little buggers grow quickly and it soon becomes difficult for them all to get under mom.

 

[leggomyegg0]

Thanks for tip, I'm in NC, so it they should be about 7-8 weeks old before our nighttime temps drop below freezing...and even then it's not common to have steadily cold temps until they are 12-15 old...and that only leaves a little more than 5 weeks before they start laying... I'm thinking I will give her 6 or so... Their coop is very well insulated, so I think that is workable... I can always bring them the barn and put a heat lamp on if it looks like it will be cold.