Silkie sisters brooding together

[DrChickenKev]

Hey all,

Amongst our menagerie of animals we have three silkies, oner cockerel and two hens; one hen turned really broody a couple weeks ago and has been sat on her clutch for a few days now, however over the past four days her sister has been joining her and sitting for most of the day as well...

Is this good?

Should I split the hens and eggs?

 

[nanaluvsgps]

I have never had that problem but i think they like the company of each other and they can help each other along the hatching process maybe try not splitting them up if possible. You might have to ask a more experienced person sorry.

 

[DrChickenKev]

So the sisters may be brooding together, but yesterday was day 21; I'd candled last monday and there were a few that seemed like duds

Anyway, so to be sure I candled last night and found 6 of the silkie eggs were definitely dud - nothing inside, so one silkie egg was developing and all three of the black rock/ RIR eggs too

Hopefully I got the dates wrong and will wait another couple days to see if anything happens

If not, I might try and put some more 'new eggs' under them - or is that a bit cruel to let them go for 40 odd days in a row brooding?

 

[wildriverswolf90]

I have a buff orpington sit for 44 days before she finally hatched chicks. (first clutch never hatched)

 

[DrChickenKev]

I have a buff orpington sit for 44 days before she finally hatched chicks. (first clutch never hatched)

Might be worth a shot then - Might try the black rock eggs or the RIR...?

As they are silkies I think maybe 5 - 6 to give them a chance of covering them?

 

[DrChickenKev]

Sorry forgot to share the hatch: