- Jul 20, 2012
- 538
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We want to add to our flock and watch the process BUT here is our current situation and our level of experience is none. Our flock consists of 3 Silkie hens and 1 rooster. They are all 6 months old. We have had them since 4 weeks of age. The rooster started mating with them before they were laying and 1 hen layed an egg the other day! She did not stay on the egg however and I am guessing its because she is so young. Someone told me they have to go "broody"..so I googled that and have been trying to learn everything I can. So, we took the egg away and ate it
I found an egg that is fake and same in size and replaced it in her nesting box. She then started making her nest the next day (after being away from it for a whole night) she was making clucking noises and pushing it under her, sitting on it and pulling materials close to her but she is not staying on it. Today she layed another! We left it alone, but she is still not staying on it. She roosts with the other chickens and goes out to play then she wants to do her nesting thing. So my main question is..is it ok for the egg to be cold until she lays on it full time? Is there a rule to this in the beginning? We are in New Hampshire and winter is upon us...it is 35 degrees outside, in the coop its about 50 degrees. They have a heater, hay and shavings ...and her nesting box is an old cat carrier with hay n shavings. We are going to purchase an incubator and heat lamp...if funds allow us by next week. Will any eggs in the mean time go bad? I am going to leave them there to encourage her to lay more. I have heard stories of people finding eggs their chickens lay in the woods and place them under a broody hen and they live. Please any information will be helpful. I know the gestation period is 21 days
