silkie sitting on eggs

[mowgli]

Hello. I am new to this forum. I purchased some mixed run bantum chicks for tic control. I have fallen in love with them. My yard is tic free and they are very friendly and fun,They free range during the day and are in the houses at night. My Silkie has eggs. When they hatch do I keep her locked in the house with them and provide a heat lamp. or should I let her provide all of the care? I am not worried about predators because I have German shepherds that guard them. I am the most worried about the tall ramp down.Will she keep them from falling or should I move the whole nest to ground level? I don't know how this is generally handled. .

 

[Judy]

The mama will provide the care they need, including warmth. She will see that they eat and drink, and if anyone else in the flock bothers the chicks, she will intercede. They will probably do OK with the ramp, but if you feel better moving the nest, it should not be a problem. I would wait to move it til they have hatched, though. Usually the mama keeps the chicks under her for the first day or so; they can live off their yolk for 2 or 3 days.

Here is some broody reading. there are loads of threads here about broodies.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/693407/broody-bird-what-to-do/0_20#post_9400530

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens

 

[mowgli]

Thanks for this information. Late to respond however everything you said was correct. We now have 11 more. then this morning heard peeping and another different nest is hatching. It's hilarious because the original 11, only a few are clearly the moms, everyone gave the mom their eggs to hatch. Same thing with this new bunch, Once my large and varied crew find a mom willing to sit eggs they all lay in her nest box. I love it because not a tic, chigger or ant in my yard, They are free roaming and are going farther out into the field and even follow the lawn mower. I never thought I would like chickens this much. I never realized how tame they get and will follow me around the yard .When I take a break they will hop up and sit with me on the bench. They have also cleared out all of the mice. For the first time in years I can leave feed bags on the porch. I didn't know they were mousers as well.I wish I found them BEFORE I got lymes disease.