silky first time laying on eggs seperate? from others?day 14 question

[dab045]

I have a silky that is doing great with her first batch of eggs now she is in a cage with two roosters and one White leghorn hen, do you think they will give her new babies a hard time or should I separate?
Thanks for any help you can give?

 

[wegotchickens]

Yes, the babies will look like treats to the other birds, and mama hen may be hard-pressed to protect them. Please move her to a safe location. If she's due soon, then you'll probably have to watch closely and move her and the babes after they hatch.

 

[KellyHM]

It all depends on your chickens. 1 of my Silkie hens just hatched 3 babies and they're all running around the Silkie pen with her, 3 roosters, and 7 other hens. They all do fine together, but that doesn't mean it always works that way. If you want to really be safe you should move her. I normally move mine, but have nowhere to house the current 8 broodies I have.

 

[dab045]

Ok thanks, now should I move her and eggs now day 14ish and she wont be baffled and get off of them will she? because I moved them and her?
Thanks again for help. Just want to do the right thing. Maybe I will leave her be and move the two silky roosters and white hen to other chicken coop where all the RI's and Leghorns are? Someone is going to get the shock of moving and maybe it shouldnt be the mamma and babies? dont know why I didnt really put my silkies and hurt leg'd leghorn in with others along time ago anyways.

 

[KellyHM]

Is she in a movable box right now? I make all my nest boxes movable so that when I'm ready to move mine I just pick up the whole box with eggs and mama inside...that way the actual nest doesn't get disturbed and they usually handle it fine. If she's not in a movable box try putting her in one and leaving it where she's sitting now for a day or 2 so she gets use to it, then you can move it to another location.

 

[wegotchickens]

If you have a pen to move the others into, then I would move them and not momma.
They will take the move easier and you won't have to worry about her leaving the eggs.

Some birds really do fine, but I have a Silkie that constantly tries to eat chicks if my broody free-ranges at the same time as the silkies.