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[TwoCrows]

Thankyou so much, just feel totally new to all this, and just want to look after them as best i can, I noticed the broody one seemed to keep tucking one leg up, so i bathed her feet and noticed that some of her nails were really long, so I trimmed them a little, being careful not to go to close to the vein, the other hens feet were fine, think it might be because the other never wants to come out of the coop, therefore not naturally keeping her nails in trim

Broodies don't get outside enough to wear the nails down, great that you got them trimmed!

 

[N F C]

Hi, thanks for joining us! @TwoCrows has given you some good advice about dealing with a broody girl (Silkies are known for that).

Best wishes with your new little flock!

 

[cherrybombuk]

O thankyou i will try them with some, fingers crossed they will eat it

You are so welcome. Compassion to you with this. I know it is so stressful when the little things are struggling or something seems like it is not working right. I have had many a night in the past of running out at night with a large flashlight to make certain that they were okay. Trying to help my daughter with her chickens, chicken duty as I call it, and I actually have had to learn how to tube feed (went for demo to an avian vet who is local) a special needs chook (severe crossbeak). So, I know you must be very concerned with those lovely silkies. Good luck!

 

[Demo]

Silkies can be very broody. Broodiness is hormonal driven so there isn't much you can do about it. People will give you advice on breaking broodiness but you will never stop a Silkie. If these eggs are unfertilized I would definitely take them away. I usually drag broodies out of the box several times a day for sustenance and get them outside too for dust bathing. Some broodies don't take good enough care of themselves, so do it for them. Just watch out for her, give her a bit more attention and she will do fine.

Thankyou i feel less worried now, I have been taking her out, feel really sorry for her, do broody chickens never lay, the eggs are not fertilised, I read somewhere that, its a good idea to get a fertilised egg for a broody chic, is this true

 

[TwoCrows]

Thankyou i feel less worried now, I have been taking her out, feel really sorry for her, do broody chickens never lay, the eggs are not fertilised, I read somewhere that, its a good idea to get a fertilised egg for a broody chic, is this true

Some broodies lay, others not so much. Laying is actually hard on their body's reserves so not laying much is actually a good thing. If you want her to be a momma you can either give her fertile eggs to set on or in the spring when lots of chicks are available you can let her pretend to incubate some eggs and then after a couple of weeks, sneak chicks under her fluff in the dark. She will think the eggs hatched come morning. But you don't have to do this. It won't change her broody habits. She may start molting soon which will stop her broody hormones for a few months.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to the BYC community.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
You are going to LOVE this place! ❤

 

[samshan21]

Welcome To BYC !

 

[Demo]

Some broodies lay, others not so much. Laying is actually hard on their body's reserves so not laying much is actually a good thing. If you want her to be a momma you can either give her fertile eggs to set on or in the spring when lots of chicks are available you can let her pretend to incubate some eggs and then after a couple of weeks, sneak chicks under her fluff in the dark. She will think the eggs hatched come morning. But you don't have to do this. It won't change her broody habits. She may start molting soon which will stop her broody hormones for a few months.

Aww thankyou for the advice, feel so sorry for her, i don't really want more than 2 because I don't want the coop too crowded,