My babies are hatching pics as they arrive!

[PouleChick]

I'm so excited - new to all this and have put eggs under my silkie Hermione. Eggs under her - 5 aracuanas, 1 orpington, 1 Bresse, 1 Australorp and 1 surprise!
This is the first view I had when I checked on her a little while ago:

Amazing stripes! I'm guessing Aracuana? (based on searching images and the fact that the lady said they would be first to hatch!!).

Won't let me add my last pic not sure why? Will update as (I hope!) I spot more!

 

[PouleChick]

There that worked - limit to photos per post or something I'm guessing!

 

[PouleChick]

Wow just been back down there and NO sight of chick at all - I'm now wondering if some of them (one?) could have even hatched yesterday as I was told the Aracuanas would hatch day 20 by the breeder (day 21 today). She is doing an amazing job of hiding it I want to see more chicks

 

[Hteeter2]

I've heard Silkies aren't always good Mama Hens, but make the best Broody Mama's. There is a difference between the two I hear. I would keep a close eye on those new chicks. Congrats on the new chicks.

 

[PouleChick]

Oh really what you mean she might eat them or something?????? She seemed to be really sweet with the little chick and I think was talking to it as it was climbing on her. Didn't see any aggression or anything. I've only heard good things so hoping that is the case!

 

[Hteeter2]

Oh really what you mean she might eat them or something?????? She seemed to be really sweet with the little chick and I think was talking to it as it was climbing on her. Didn't see any aggression or anything. I've only heard good things so hoping that is the case!

I've heard they will sit like nobody's business, and lose interest or get aggressive possibly after hatching the chicks. I'm not saying that will happen, but I'd keep an extra close eye on the chicks. Patara from Appalachian Homestead with Patara says always have a plan B and C. I watch her on YouTube a lot.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Stop worrying. On rare occasions any broody hen will mess up but the vast majority of the time broody hens of all breeds do great. Somebody is always hearing something and it often gets repeated even when the context is not known. Perhaps one Silkie out of all the Silkies that have hatched messed up and all the ones that did great are forgotten.

That Silkie broody is no more likely to eat the chicks than you are.

 

[Hteeter2]

Stop worrying. On rare occasions any broody hen will mess up but the vast majority of the time broody hens of all breeds do great. Somebody is always hearing something and it often gets repeated even when the context is not known. Perhaps one Silkie out of all the Silkies that have hatched messed up and all the ones that did great are forgotten.

That Silkie broody is no more likely to eat the chicks than you are.

Actually this is a thing for the Silkie breed, and I'm just suggesting being cautious. There is nothing wrong with that. I've always been told that it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Faraday40]

I have a few broody hens & each has her own "parenting style."

One is a fierce protector & never lets chicks play more than 1-2' away. She's great for hatching & brooding. She'll adopt as many chicks as she thinks she hatched, but will attack any chicks added after the 1st 2-3 days.

Another broody is small so she can't fit many eggs. She likes to explore and take her chicks on field trips to the neighbors. Chicks are spread out but come running back when she calls. This mama stays with chicks for 8-9 weeks until they're 3x her size!

My silkie is a little inexperienced. She sits but will leave for long periods or sometimes get back into the wrong nest box. She'll teach her chicks well but also run away from them if she hears the treat call. After about a min, she realizes she forgot them & goes back to call them over. She "loses" them all the time but my flock is tolerant, so other hens will cover them if a real danger came along.

I have one LF orp hen that goes broody about 1x per year. She will adopt any chick of any breed at any age when broody. Last summer she had a brooder with 30 chicks ranging from 4 days to 5 weeks. I even had 3 quail in there for a few days. She kept the peace until we finally sold most of them. I kept her in the big brooder until we had a number of chicks she could manage.

 

[PouleChick]

Stop worrying.

You're on to me! I'll try - I'm just not used to having to 'do nothing' so it is weird but I am ust trusting she knows what she is doing (doesn't stop me from going down there every little while ).

I've always been told that it's better to be safe than sorry.

Absolutely - between me and the kids there is no shortage of interested observers and I'm sure we'll soon spot if something is amiss!

I have a few broody hens & each has her own "parenting style."

Can't wait to see what Hermione does (and Doris who is now broody too ), I'm guessing she'll be pretty protective as she has pecked me a couple of times when I first got her when she thought I was doing something mean to Doris!

My silkie is a little inexperienced

I bought both my silkies as 1-2 year olds and both been mummies before so hoping they know what they are doing as I'm clueless