When does my foster broody start laying again?

[jefra]

i have a silkie (1 year old-ish) who's been a broody foster mom to three of my chicks for a month and some now. This makes my oldest chick about 10 weeks and the youngest about 7 or 8 weeks. I've noticed lately when I go to pick up the silkie she takes "The Stance" - the submissive mating stance (i think?) - wings low, squatting. These guys are free ranging in my yard and haven't really needed a nest box, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to have to look around the yard for eggs (BIG iris beds and stuff...really lots to look under). I've put a covered box with wood shavings and a couple of golf balls in the coop but really - what can i expect here?

When do the foster broodies start laying again?

Thanks!

 

[kstaven]

Having ten week old chicks I would be checking under the bushes. Broody hens will also not eat as much as normal which could bring on a molt. That will stop her from laying also.

 

[jefra]

she's been molting, but looks to be on her way out of it. whaddya think?

how will i recognize "the song" they do when they lay?

should I keep her penned all day to know if she's laying? (she'll just loooove that!

)

off to check the bushes.