Silkies?

[ChickCrazyWorryWort]

Are these just called silkies? The one that is obviously all white a white silkie, and then the grey and white ones called greys or splash silkies?

 

[Bryce Thomas]

Yup. Those are all silkies. Its also fun breeding them. These are some of my little chicks just days after hatching them from a silkie hen and roo

 

[Chicalina]

you can't predict when a hen will go broody (hormonal surge which compels them to sit on and hatch eggs). You can encourage it to happen by putting fake eggs/golf balls in the nest and leaving them there. She will think they are a clutch of eggs waiting to be brooded. But don't expect this straight away. It could take weeks or months. Silkies are notoriously broody though, so you may not have to wait too long. But first I think they will need to settle in to their new home. It's a big change for them.

 

[Chicalina]

Yes, you can wait, chill out and have patience!

Harder to say than do, I know.

6 days and you are thinking of getting rid of them? Relax! Make sure they have all they need and little stress, and assuming they aren't too old, then eggs will happen.

 

[Chicalina]

It's too easy to worry too much! I'm sure they will be fine. They've had a big life change moving homes, so let them settle for a while. They might even moult first, which means a longer wait. Time will tell. Best of luck with them!

 

[Chicalina]

there really is no point trying to hatch eggs when the hens aren't broody yet. They won't develop. Or they may start and stop. Just keep the fake eggs there until the broodiness hits. Then only replace with fertile eggs once the hen has sat on the nest solidly for 3 or 4 days, and fluffs up and pecks you when you disturb her

 

[Chicalina]

it's not the number of eggs really. My hens go broody on one or two laid the same day.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Yes they are silkies.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Also I gave them all baths and noticed that the 2 darker ones are a little matted under their wings. Any suggestions on what to do about that? Try brushing them or cutting them out? I just got them a few days ago and they aren’t completely used to me yet. I’m a little nervous having scissors around them and don’t really know if they will tolerate brushing. Just bathing them was crazy!

You can just leave it

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Silkies are more likely to brood naturally and if they're the only birds in your flock, (and even if they're not you still can normally) you can just let her brood in the coop. Works best for integration when she weans the chicks