My silkies have been broody for a while now so I decided to let them set on some eggs. They actually sit on everybodies eggs but I didn't want to have any more RIR's so I let them set on silkie eggs. Honestly I have never seen our Silky rooster mate with any Silkies so I wasn't expecting any hatchings. I didn't note the date I let them start but I thought it was getting close and wasn't seeing anything so I decided one more week then pitching the eggs. Went out to gather eggs this evening and got a surprise, a Silky baby!!! OMG, what to do? Mom is somewhat protective. She is on the nest still with a few other eggs. The box is raised approx 12-18" off the floor with a ramp. I ran in the house and quickly read some articles on this site but didn't have much time, losing daylight. I took a narrow piece of wood and put across the nest crate so mom can get out but baby can't fall out. My plan is to wait until morning then move her to the above ground enclosed area with the baby for a few days and wait until this cold spell in OK goes by then let them both out onto the ground in a fenced in area about 10'x4'. Then at night I can pick them both up and put in the above ground enclosed area at night.
My questions are, what do I put out for the baby to eat?
Should I use a heat lamp or will mom keep it warm?
How long do I keep the baby separate from the big chickens?( I am considering separating the Silkies from the RIR's altogether).
My questions are, what do I put out for the baby to eat?
Should I use a heat lamp or will mom keep it warm?
How long do I keep the baby separate from the big chickens?( I am considering separating the Silkies from the RIR's altogether).
