Silkie egg laying rate?

[Lemon-Drop]

So, my Silkie bantam, Mochi, lays eggs very often. I though Silkies didn’t lay much, but she even layed an egg almost every day during winter, and is laying every other day right now. Is this normal? Thanks!

 

[Sycamore Hill Chicks]

It just depends on the chicken. She’s fine

 

[Lemon-Drop]

It just depends on the chicken. She’s fine

Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So, my Silkie bantam, Mochi, lays eggs very often. I though Silkies didn’t lay much, but she even layed an egg almost every day during winter, and is laying every other day right now. Is this normal? Thanks!

Very normal for Silkies who are NOT obsessively broody!

It's the broodiness that reduces lay rate significantly. They are out of lay for long periods while broody.

Laying through the first winter is normal. She *should* molt and stop laying as fall approaches.. Lay hormone is influenced by hours of light mostly in addition to age and genetics. Most birds will not lay eggs during their molt process which is when they replace old feathers with fresh ones. They usually return to lay within 2-4 months.. depending on genetics, nutrition, lighting, etc.

In the US.. all Silkies are considered bantam, though there is quite a wide variety of sizes and it does IMO warrant separate standards like they have in the British standard. Just for informational purposes.

Congrats on your lovely layer, pics needed.

ETA: That broody obsession is not their own will, it's hormones they aren't in control of.. well balanced is nice!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Very normal for Silkies who are NOT obsessively broody!

It's the broodiness that reduces lay rate significantly. They are out of lay for long periods while broody.

Laying through the first winter is normal. She *should* molt and stop laying as fall approaches.. Lay hormone is influenced by hours of light mostly in addition to age and genetics. Most birds will not lay eggs during their molt process which is when they replace old feathers with fresh ones. They usually return to lay within 2-4 months.. depending on genetics, nutrition, lighting, etc.

In the US.. all Silkies are considered bantam, though there is quite a wide variety of sizes and it does IMO warrant separate standards like they have in the British standard. Just for informational purposes.

Congrats on your lovely layer, pics needed.

ETA: That broody obsession is not their own will, it's hormones they aren't in control of.. well balanced is nice!

Thanks! She’s not a very broody silkie, which I’m very glad, as we don’t have a rooster (but when she’s occasionally broody, she’s the sweetest! I’ll go to collect eggs, she will be in the nesting box (broody) and doesn’t even make a sound. I can just almost roll her off the eggs. She’s a white silkie (splash, I guess) I’ll go get pictures!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Mine lay well when they are not broody, but broody they are often!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Here are some pictures!

 

[GreasyTheHen]

I lay an egg every day.

 

[Show Sebright]

Awwww my school had 2 silkies. We thought they were hens... then they crowded. Every. Day. But you girl looks pretty.