My Broody Silkies are killing me!

[Aunt Angus]

Ah, Yessss! Thanks so much for sharing your information and experiences!! Very helpful indeed, my friend!!

I’m excited; I’m gonna go with placing some chicks in with them this Spring. I really like the idea of adding in my choice number of females with no roosters as well. This way you raise exactly what you want to have in your flock.
I order day-old chicks online using the post office, Hatcheries like to add in an extra chick or two for more warmth, safer travels, or even in case one doesn't make it. I’m happy I have a few family-friends on farmlands who can take a few extra pullets or roosters.

I already know who will likely be the best Broody, my Princess Buttercup. She’s always been the toughest to break and she’s really sensitive to others hormones levels. If another bird goes broody and doesn’t break fairly soon, I already know Buttercup will be my next broody girl, right away — guaranteed!! Ha!


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Love your photos!! — Violet and Dandelion look like my Buttercup and my Blossom or Bubbles …
View attachment 3325952
Bubbles is the Dark Blue/Black
Buttercup is the Splash Blue/Black

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This photo is from last Winter and on a very Windy 🌬 day, apparently… But, these Silly girls did not care one bit. They were 5 to 6mos here and were just starting to lay their beautiful eggs!

Pretty girls!

I don't use hatcheries anymore because of heavy losses, but if you are comfortable using them, then by all means.

Keep in mind that not all broodies make good mamas, but Silkies seem to be made for it. My tiny Silkies have raised Spitzhauben, Naked Neck, Orpington, Legbar, Easter Egger... So you can have them raise any breed.

Enjoy!

 

[jBabychickn]

We got BABIES!!!
Mama Blossom is doing an AMAZING job!
They are 3wks old now; Mama has successfully introduced them to the flock, and she’s taught them how to climb up into the big girls’ coop for nighttime. (My Hubs made them a postpartum suite/nesting area down below the coop that they used for about 2 1/2 weeks)

Needless to say - It’s been a fascinating experience thus far, watching them thrive so vigorously compared to chicks that I’ve brooded before inside my she shed…

 

[LaFleche]

We got BABIES!!!
Mama Blossom is doing an AMAZING job!
They are 3wks old now; Mama has successfully introduced them to the flock, and she’s taught them how to climb up into the big girls’ coop for nighttime. (My Hubs made them a postpartum suite/nesting area down below the coop that they used for about 2 1/2 weeks)

Needless to say - It’s been a fascinating experience thus far, watching them thrive so vigorously compared to chicks that I’ve brooded before inside my she shed…

Congratulations!

And you are right: as much as we might try to care for chicks, there is nothing better to teach them how to be chickens than a good momma hen.