Persistent Silkie

[Purpletie3]

Sounds like a good broody hen plan. I think it's so cute she was sitting on a pile of eggs! I wonder how many a broody silkie can hatch.?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Apparently, the season can affect how many she could from all that I've read since in warmer weather, they wouldn't cool as quickly if they pop out. I think six will be PLENTY. I know that if I end up with chicks, I'll end up with at least one new roo so that means that I need to find someone to help me process my current roo (he is loud and annoying in the middle of the night any way). I hope that I don't end up with no more than two since past that, numbers might get a little tight for the hen/roo ratio. It will be much easier to block her off and just let her out in the evening for a little while so she doesn't lose too much of her status in the pecking order of my mixed flock.

If she goes broody again this summer (likely with the breed) I'll let her try a couple more. One really good thing about hatching at this point of the year, no snakes to come looking for a snack!!! I lost a few chicks last year due to snakes so at least there is one positive. Well, one more.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Momma still sitting pretty on her nest. Everyone else is upset though. When I got home, I kicked three hens out to lock the coop door to give the mother hen her own coop. There is still a wire door that the other hens can look in through and two other coops that they can use. Of course, this was the favorite coop. When I went out to check on her there were a dozen hens at the door to the coop making a racket because they wanted in to lay their eggs. Hours later, ONE leghorn gave in a laid one in one of the other coops.

I have made sure she has plenty of food a few feet away from her and even dug up a clod of dirt and grass for her to use as grit. I won't be able to check on her tomorrow since I'll be at the hospital with my husband until Thursday. From there, checking in once a day for the next three weeks.

Day Three down.

 

[Purpletie3]

Go lil silkie go!

Good luck tomorrow with everything....I wish you the best.

 

[Purpletie3]

Hoping all went well today...

 

[JadedPhoenix]

The surgery went well, my husband came through without any major complications. He is having trouble with low blood pressure but he tends to have that trouble with it anyway. It will be a long two weeks or so.

As for my mother hen, she is still doing well and I rewarded my other hens for their frustration by letting them free-range this afternoon.

Day Five is down.

 

[Purpletie3]

Oh...thank goodness he did well! Go lil silkie!

. Hopefully, they will reign in that blood pressure!

 

[JadedPhoenix]

I think my husband is the only person I've heard the doctor tell to eat more salt!! LOL!!!

 

[Purpletie3]

Well, at least you don't have to cook all low sodium!

 

[JadedPhoenix]

True. I swear he has low blood pressure because he is so tall, 6'9", and his heart has a hard time getting his blood down to his feet and back. My son, 13, is already 5'8" so he will like follow his dad's foot steps. At 5'9", I'll end up being the shortest in my household by Christmas.