Our silkie hen went broody on one sweet little egg, after about 30 days we finally forced her off, we all greived the absence of that baby for a few months, it was really hard.
As a family we're finally recovered from that loss, it often comes up, "remember when Chloe was going to have that chick?" and its sad to remember.
We are careful now to pick up eggs daily as possible! The greif over losing a chick is hard, nagging the kids to collect eggs in a timely matter is FAR easier. It took Chloe the hen a couple months to rejoin the little flock, too, they didn't recognize her after her long absence and pecked her at first.
We had thought of getting her a chick, but in the long run I am glad we just greived and got used to it. Our lives are complicated enough without MORE pets to care for. And it's OK to greive, especially the loss of babies!
Whether you gain new chicks or not, I wish you luck and safe passage through a strange, new time.
