PLease help with my first Broody Silkie !!!!

[Miz Mary]

She has been sitting on the nest yesterday and today ...... I will let her hatch a few ......
Do I need to isolate her from the flock ? She is in the main house.... I put food/ water near by ......
What is thier temprament ? She seems quiet and sleepy .....

 

[ChooksChick]

Quote:
I love broody hens!! They basically sit and stare for three weeks, and having the food and water near is good. She'll manage the rest. If your flock is friendly and she won't get picked on or forced off the nest (they all LOVE the broody nests) then she should be fine. Let her have 4 or 5, so if some don't hatch she'll have a few. Also, mark the start date on the eggs in sharpie, as pencil will get rubbed off and you need to know which eggs are incubating, as everyone will lay in her nest when she gets up to stretch her legs.Here are a few pointers.

 

[seminolewind]

Good advice-marking the eggs, and put some more under there and food and water available near by. I have 8 silkie hens, 7 are brooding. Last time my 2 silkie chicks had 3 moms. I would not separate the silkies from eachother, just from other chickens.

 

[josh]

I put mine in a pen by their selves. This way there are no new eggs added. And when the chicks hatch out I don't have to worry about the roosters hurting them. Or other moms stealing them. My game hen will take other chickens babies if left in the pen with her.

 

[Miz Mary]

I have 2 silkies, 2 sebrights and a MilleFluer D'Uccle Roo in the pen ....... Mille Fleur Silkie babies hopefully !!! Will the chicks be fine in this pen with the other bantams ?!?!

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
I love broody hens!! They basically sit and stare for three weeks, and having the food and water near is good. She'll manage the rest. If your flock is friendly and she won't get picked on or forced off the nest (they all LOVE the broody nests) then she should be fine. Let her have 4 or 5, so if some don't hatch she'll have a few. Also, mark the start date on the eggs in sharpie, as pencil will get rubbed off and you need to know which eggs are incubating, as everyone will lay in her nest when she gets up to stretch her legs.Here are a few pointers.

x2 Good advice

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
This is your first broody, so I'd isolate her just in case. You don't want a bad experience on your first try.


Quiet and sleepy? Maybe she is just lethargic or sick- I had a pullet die in the nest box in the fall, I thought that she was laying her first egg. Broodies will be puffing, growling and pecking at you. If not, than there is another reason.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Good point, as usually they do the growling thing, although this depends on their personality. I had one who was a pet and never objected at all when I reached under her. The next broody taught me what growling and puffing up mean.

I hope she's broody and not sick.

The isolating thing is up to you. I've done it both ways; they do best with a little more supervision if you leave her with the flock, but then you have chicks who are integrated from day one.

Here's some more lit on broodies in case you're interested:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

 

[Miz Mary]

Thanks everybody for all the links and info - I AM reading them all !!! I got up early today , concerned she was sick too...... went out .... she puffed up and made a noise, (I guess is growling but it was NOT a scary growl ! ) ........ I made sure she ate a little .....it got down to 18 degrees last night ... had to defrost the waters !!! This is SO exciting !!! I'm gonna be a Chikn Granny !!

 

[OkChickens]

Congrats on your broody Miz Mary! I can't wait for my first broody! I'm hoping one of mine will go Broody this year! Do EE's or Welsummers go Broody ever?

-Nate