We have a Silkie that went broody somewhere between 22 and 28 days ago. We didn't really notice that she had been sitting in the same spot until she had probably been there for a few days. She is a new chicken to us and I wasn't expecting a broody, and she's our first...anyway I wasn't paying attention as well as I should have.
She had 7 eggs that I marked. Two have since been kicked out the nest and opened up to find nearly fully developed chicks. The last one we opened was on Monday and folks here thought it looked pretty close to hatching.
For the last few days another Silkie has been sharing the nest. They don't seem to be fighting over the nest, just sharing it. The other Silkie is definitely broody, though.
There is NOTHING going on with these eggs. The last time I candled them was 4 days ago and I did see movement. However, there is no peeping, no pipping, no zipping, nothing. While I don't know exactly what day she started, I know for sure it has been longer than 21 days.
What should I do? Leave them a few more days? I kinda want to open one up and see what's going on, but of course if there is a live chick in there, I would feel horrible. If I end up taking the eggs away, what on earth do I do with these two crazy girls? DH and I both work during the day and I can't be out there every hour lifting them up off the nest. I'd just give them some different eggs, but Megan has been at it for at least 3 weeks and I'm afraid it will be too hard on her to keep brooding for another 3.
Help me wise ones.
She had 7 eggs that I marked. Two have since been kicked out the nest and opened up to find nearly fully developed chicks. The last one we opened was on Monday and folks here thought it looked pretty close to hatching.
For the last few days another Silkie has been sharing the nest. They don't seem to be fighting over the nest, just sharing it. The other Silkie is definitely broody, though.
There is NOTHING going on with these eggs. The last time I candled them was 4 days ago and I did see movement. However, there is no peeping, no pipping, no zipping, nothing. While I don't know exactly what day she started, I know for sure it has been longer than 21 days.
What should I do? Leave them a few more days? I kinda want to open one up and see what's going on, but of course if there is a live chick in there, I would feel horrible. If I end up taking the eggs away, what on earth do I do with these two crazy girls? DH and I both work during the day and I can't be out there every hour lifting them up off the nest. I'd just give them some different eggs, but Megan has been at it for at least 3 weeks and I'm afraid it will be too hard on her to keep brooding for another 3.
Help me wise ones.
Last edited:
