Should i get an incubator a a silkie hen?

[GoWithItchicken]

We are really eager to hatch some eggs but don't have the things to do it. We have two hens and one rooster that are all rhode island reds. I know that rhode island reds aren't good mammas but are good layers. Our question is if we are on a budget should we get a silkie hen or get a $40-$80 incubator. Will we need two silkies or can we just have one silkie with the other two hens. we are going to soon get rid of the rooster. Oh and also is it better to just stick with my rhode island reds (silkies if i choose them) or should i get some other breeds.

 

[GitaBooks]

Hatching eggs is awesome! Silkies are amazing. You will want two, as they are likely to be bullied some by the RIRs. Unfortunately, it is very hard to keep control of things with a mother hen. They decide to do this and that and decide when they want to set and where and how. However, they know just how to do it, and the chicks are a lot happier and tend to be healthier.
It depends on which one would be easier for you. Incubators take more work, but you have more control over what happens to the chicks and how many eggs you want to hatch and when you want them to hatch.
I hear cochins make good broodies also, and may not be bullied quite as much.


A silkie cross hen


A white silkie hen with her chicks


Princess with her chicks (she is a partridge silkie)


Princess with chicks larger than her!


Best of luck!

 

[GoWithItchicken]

If my hens are really nice and never fight do you think I have a chance to have just one silkie. Thank you for answering!!!

 

[GitaBooks]

You could try with one hen, but even if they don't bully her she looks and acts so differently from them she probably won't fit in. Two makes her feel like she is part of a flock and feel less stressed.

 

[GoWithItchicken]

Ok, thanks i will just try to get 2 silkies.

 

[iluvmybabiez]

They're good mamas, but you'd get a better yield with a higher chance of chick survival with an incubator.
I have an incubator and I know last year I only had maybe 2-3 chicks die out of 30+...

 

[GoWithItchicken]

They're good mamas, but you'd get a better yield with a higher chance of chick survival with an incubator.
I have an incubator and I know last year I only had maybe 2-3 chicks die out of 30+...

Thank you, I am still thinking about what we are going to do on how we are going to hatch the eggs with my family. Thanks for the advice now we have pros and cons of both the hens and the incubator(I read an article about incubators).