Two questions-Silkie gone broody

[Chicnsrthebest]

Well, just when I said Mabel, my Silkie didn't want to brood, she decided to stay on her nest all day today.
So, I'm guessing she's finally decided to brood.

She's got three of her own eggs under her, but it's been about five weeks since we brought her home. Thus, my two questions:

1-Would her eggs be fertile yet, considering that much time away from a roo? (we don't have one)

2-How many regular sized eggs have any of you put under a Silkie any time you've used one as a Surrogate?

 

[jossanne]

I've heard of still-fertile eggs after a little over a month away from the roo on here. Never experienced it myself.

I don't know how many she can set, but I'd bet she could handle quite a few. My first silkies are going to be 2 months old tomorrow, so I've never experienced one setting yet... someone on here will give you a good answer tho!

 

[Chicnsrthebest]

Hubby did some searching and found out that some have put as many as 8 under their Silkies.
So I guess our 6 will be ok. I'll welcome any other comments though.

I'm still not sure about the fertility of her own eggs though, as in one spot we read that they are only fertile for 10 days.
The only way I could find out I guess, is to leave them for a week and then candle them.