Silkie adoption?

[Ms.tiamaria]

Will a silkie raise a chick that is a couple of weeks old?

 

[HuffleClaw]

If she’s broody there’s a good chance. It really depends on the hen

 

[ChickNanny13]

You could try but I would keep a really close eye on the Silkie. Your best bet is getting couple chicks close in age to yours.

 

[AlleysChicks]

The chick may not bond to her. I lost 2 chicks last year because they didn’t bond with a broody. They were 2 & 3 days old.

 

[Ms.tiamaria]

You mean they didn't accept her as their mama?

The chick may not bond to her. I lost 2 chicks last year because they didn’t bond with a broody. They were 2 & 3 days old.

 

[AlleysChicks]

You mean they didn't accept her as their mama?

Yeah it was really sad. I kept putting them under her and she was happy but they would take off running as soon as I walked away. I put them under her every night. One morning I went out and there was only 1 chick under her. I found it on the other side of the coop. Same thing happened the next day with the other one.

 

[Ms.tiamaria]

I'm so sorry. If this happens to me I will bring them in and hand raise them.

Yeah it was really sad. I kept putting them under her and she was happy but they would take off running as soon as I walked away. I put them under her every night. One morning I went out and there was only 1 chick under her. I found it on the other side of the coop. Same thing happened the next day with the other one.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Keep us posted. I'm interested in this as well. Good luck!!!!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

My hen didn't accept the chicks that I hatched myself using an incubator... while the rest of the eggs that were left behind for her to set on, she reared. But then I'm not sure if I introduced them right, they were already like a week and a half old while her's were newly hatched, maybe that's why she didn't accept them?

 

[gimmie birdies]

If you have the right broody at the right moment they will adopt, I have had chicks and mommas go crazy for each other at 4 weeks old, but the mom had been sitting on eggs and it was done at night. Some times it is just she is used to her babies, and wants to protect them from the new-bees.