So new to this and I have a question

[pinkchick2]

Sunday evening a friend gave us a Silkie hen. She was out and about with the roosters at that time and today she has laid an egg. Any chance it might be fertile? And will it hatch if she doesn't sit on it all the time? Sorry if these questions seem silly! These are my first chicks!

 

[leonie]

It could be fertile. I've read that hens can lay fertile eggs for at least 2 weeks after mating. I'm not sure about the hatching though. I can't see why your hen would sit on just one egg. I imagine she'd wait to collect a whole bunch before she started sitting.

 

[Laskaland]

It could be fertile. Someone needs to sit on it at all times, once she "sets" it- which means she collects a bunch- maybe 6 eggs- and then goes "broody" or sits full-time on the whole bunch (known as a "clutch").
Silkies tend to like to sit, lol, A LOT... Be patient and see what she's doing in a week. At that time, you could still successfully incubate the eggs in a incubator!
Good luck!
What color is your girl?
christina

 

[pinkchick2]

Oh thank you so much! She is white. I hope she lays some more! Do I need to do anything special? There are two pullets (?) in the crate with her that were given to me at the same time. Should I move them?

 

[R@ndy]

you could add some ping pong balls to act as eggs