Silkie mating

[Member 151789]

Hi, when I went to go and feed my silkies today (2 Roos and 2 hens) when I was giving one of my hen bread one of my Roos stopped his crowing and started mating with her! My question is, why would he do that when they don't even lay eggs yet....... Please answer somebody. I am dying to know! Haha and I really want some baby chicks



Thanks
Caohorse

 

[CGinJCMO]

I guess you know his equipment is working.

He may know something about her that you don't know yet...like how it won't be long before she will start laying.

CG

 

[Member 151789]

I guess you know his equipment is working.

He may know something about her that you don't know yet...like how it won't be long before she will start laying.

CG

Hi, thank you for your post . I was also wondering if you knew if it would be possible for her to be able to sit on her first eggs and hatch them out or if she is too young to do that.

Thank you
Caohorse

 

[littlecritters]

Sometimes cockerels will badger young pullets who are not ready to lay. It has been suggested to not hatch the first pullet eggs, since chicks need a bit larger egg and more room in the egg to develop. You may want to wait awhile until the eggs become a bit bigger.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

And you need to wait until one actually goes broody(hormone change) so they will sit on the eggs for the 19-21 days. With Silkies they will go broody OFTEN. Be patient, when she starts sleeping on the nest for a few days in a row and taking her off it to see if she goes back or not will be your clues for broodiness.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Also if she squatted voluntarily for him, then she is likely approaching POL.