Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LadiesAndJane]

I love my silkies!
I usually hatch the silkie eggs and sell the chicks.
I have other chickens for regular eggs.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

They've actually been laying for a month now! That's amazing, especially for Pippin!
No eggs from Fries since May.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

You should candle the eggs and inspect the aircells. If they are small, then let them sit pointy side down in a carton for 24 hours undisturbed. If they look large, then they are older and should only sit for 12 hours.

Thanks! Should the place they sit be cool, warm?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thanks! Should the place they sit be cool, warm?

Cool, but not cold. They should be room temperature before you place them in the incubator.

 

[SilkieChicken123]

Ok, I've always heard that silkies are just the best moms, super broody, etc. But I'm gonna say: My broody silkie IS THE WORST MOM EVER.

She gets off her eggs, lets them get cold and then i have to literally have to catch her and force her back on her eggs to get her to keep them warm, she IS broody, simply an awful mom, when she sits on her eggs, she only sits for about 2 hours then gets up for about 3, then I've gotta get her back on the nest, plus she uses the bathroom on her eggs.
It's so aggravating, if these chicks were just going to be for me to keep- I wouldn't really mind that much, but they're not for me, they're for a first time customer.
Junia (the broody silkie) did great for about 5 days, then after that she's just done awful!
My Wyandottes are better moms then her!
2 days ago, she left her eggs overnight and then sat on the in the morning, I believe they're all now dead when I candled them this morning! And to think she only had 5 days left. I'm still leaving the eggs under her seriously hoping they'll hatch!
Just thought i'd share. I'm so skeptical to ever let another silkie go broody again.

 

[SilkieChicken123]

I love my silkies!
I usually hatch the silkie eggs and sell the chicks.
I have other chickens for regular eggs.

Oh goodness, i love my silkies so much too!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Ok, I've always heard that silkies are just the best moms, super broody, etc. But I'm gonna say: My broody silkie IS THE WORST MOM EVER.

She gets off her eggs, lets them get cold and then i have to literally have to catch her and force her back on her eggs to get her to keep them warm, she IS broody, simply an awful mom, when she sits on her eggs, she only sits for about 2 hours then gets up for about 3, then I've gotta get her back on the nest, plus she uses the bathroom on her eggs.
It's so aggravating, if these chicks were just going to be for me to keep- I wouldn't really mind that much, but they're not for me, they're for a first time customer.
Junia (the broody silkie) did great for about 5 days, then after that she's just done awful!
My Wyandottes are better moms then her!
2 days ago, she left her eggs overnight and then sat on the in the morning, I believe they're all now dead when I candled them this morning! And to think she only had 5 days left. I'm still leaving the eggs under her seriously hoping they'll hatch!
Just thought i'd share. I'm so skeptical to ever let another silkie go broody again.

She needs a new job

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Ok, I've always heard that silkies are just the best moms, super broody, etc. But I'm gonna say: My broody silkie IS THE WORST MOM EVER.

She gets off her eggs, lets them get cold and then i have to literally have to catch her and force her back on her eggs to get her to keep them warm, she IS broody, simply an awful mom, when she sits on her eggs, she only sits for about 2 hours then gets up for about 3, then I've gotta get her back on the nest, plus she uses the bathroom on her eggs.
It's so aggravating, if these chicks were just going to be for me to keep- I wouldn't really mind that much, but they're not for me, they're for a first time customer.
Junia (the broody silkie) did great for about 5 days, then after that she's just done awful!
My Wyandottes are better moms then her!
2 days ago, she left her eggs overnight and then sat on the in the morning, I believe they're all now dead when I candled them this morning! And to think she only had 5 days left. I'm still leaving the eggs under her seriously hoping they'll hatch!
Just thought i'd share. I'm so skeptical to ever let another silkie go broody again.

Sorry to read this.
I have not let my silkies set yet. I do have 2 that go broody every 5 minutes, but so far they have not been reliable on any "test" eggs I have given them. I have not given up on them yet, but for now I use an incubator.

 

[twouglyducks]

I keep trying to tell him that doing stuff like this is perpetuating the stereotype that silkies aren't the brightest tool in the shed.
He doesn't listen. Just continues to sit and stare at the wood.

On another note, as cute as bearded silkies are, I'm kind of already over pulling beard fluff out of their eyes. I really need to trim but haven't lined up the me thinking about it and having someone to help hold at the same time.

 

[Silkie Princess]

Goodbye Georgie,
You were once full of life, always cuddling with me when I had a bad day, making me smile and laugh at your cuteness. You did not deserve to die. You had so much left to live and I don't want this to be the end. You were the most curious chick I ever had but most important of all you were my best friend. I will miss you so much, my little furry angel.