How old to go broody?

[bart40330]

Old enough to lay, old enough to brood?

My buff silkie hen laid her first egg today. Confirming that she is indeed a hen, I put her and a buff silkie rooster in a large cage together to use as a breeding pair. Should she start setting as soon as she has laid a clutch (and how many is a clutch?) or does she need to get a little older?

 

[CA-reds]

I'm not sure what a clutch is but if she laid her first egg she is either a young pullet or a hen the rooster should breed her either way depending on if he is fertile it may also be determined on the size of egg.

 

[bart40330]

Well yes she is a pullet, and about six months old. What I am asking is, will a six month old pullet go broody?

 

[jnjross]

you never can tell, they have to get it in their head that they want raise chicks, there's nothing you can do to make her go broody,

 

[Momma_Cluck]

Silkies EASILY go broody-- even the Males!
Let her collect eggs over a few days time...
once there are several in the nest, she'll probably set on them. If not, collect em up, and start again an a few weeks....
Both my Gals and one Roo are broody atthe drop of a hat and steal other chickens eggs to sit on! LMAO!

 

[bart40330]

Quote:
Hold on. Are you telling ole Bart that the rooster will sit on the eggs????