I have my very first broody silkie! I knew something was up with her sounds and antics. She was sitting on the nest a little longer too for a few days in a row.
Got some barn yard mix eggs for her, and now, she is just staying on them. I was so worried. She hadn't eaten is so long, like three days.
I moved her. Where she has no other birds around her. Still she wasn't eating. I set the food right in front of her. Today, I finally got her off of her two eggs, and I have two in the bator for her, but I dipped her beak into the water. She drank a tiny bit, did it again. She just wants to flop right down where she is. Then later, I just went ahead and force fed her a few bites of food. Well, later I checked the feed. I had made sure it was smooth in the dish so I could tell if she ate, she did! Checked the two eggs tonight, they are both fertile! I hope she gets the hang of going for the food and water once in a while.
Interesting thing in the beginning too. I had three eggs under her at first. I wasn't sure if it was going to be too much for her, they are big eggs..so, kept watching. She sat on all of them at first, then on the third day, she started leaving one out. I kept putting it back, but out it would come. It was always still warm. But, I decided to take it in and put it in with the other two. Candled them, the one she kept leaving out, was clear. I can see them knowing later on, but that early on?
Interesting. So, two under her doing well, and two in the bator doing well. I think she will make a good mom.
Any suggestions as to what I can do to help her along during this long wait? Thanks!
