Missing silkie hen...possibly broody???

[lindisfarne]

Hi there

We free range our birds in the garden and our smallest silkie, poco, has recently gone missing. We're pretty sure she's broody as she was only about for a short time the last few days we saw her....didn't follow her though

. The area of the garden we think she has chosen is very 'wild', with thick bushes and ground cover. We don't really want to go marching through or clear the area in case we injure her....anyone got any suggestions or had similar experience?? We are thinking about just leaving her and hoping she does a good job incubating as chicks are always nice!....we will follow her if we catch her out again...
We are mainly worried if she is eating/drinking ok and safe,
thanks for your help!

 

[Happy Chooks]

If you have searched for her and can't find her, then wait until she comes out for a drink or some food and follow her back to her nest.

 

[lindisfarne]

Thanks!
we actually managed to see her out today and followed her back to a little nest among a rockery, very well hidden....It seems pretty safe and she is sitting well so can we just leave her? The only slight worry we have is that it is quite close to the pond, maybe we can make a kind of barrier/shelter for her? has anyone had any experience with just leaving a broody to do her thing?

 

[Happy Chooks]

I would move her at night with her eggs to a safe spot. You risk a predator finding her if you leave her out there.

 

[lindisfarne]

Thanks for your help,
here's a pic of where she is roughly....shes tucked in among some rocks
do you think if we secured the pond side it may be ok?....we have chicks in our only free broody pen at the moment...

 

[ibreathe4u]

Wow, what a beautiful area. What a lucky chicken.

 

[lindisfarne]

Thanks!
Its a bit overgrown but we like it, especially in summer. Do you think the pond will pose much problem? I know young chicks can be rather inquisitive even if the mum is looking after them...

 

[lindisfarne]

Our little silkie just reappeared with 3 chicks!! 1 white and 2 black....will post pics soon. we're very pleased with the hatch rate as she only had 4 eggs anyway and 1 got broken in the nest so 100% hatch rate

 

[Happy Chooks]

Our little silkie just reappeared with 3 chicks!! 1 white and 2 black....will post pics soon. we're very pleased with the hatch rate as she only had 4 eggs anyway and 1 got broken in the nest so 100% hatch rate

Congrats!

 

[DarthLayer]

That's great!