Silky hens sitting

BonJune · **Joined:** Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:41 am **Posts:** 3

Should my silky hens be sitting in this very cold weather?

wickedwings · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2011 11:38 am

As long as they are determined to sit I don't see why not. I hatched eggs under my 2 silkies recently (3 weeks and 7 weeks ago) and the first time mothers have been very good with their chicks. So long as they are reasonably sheltered I think you shoud be alright.

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Two of my silky hens are sitting at the moment also. I think they "feel" the change in the seasons before we do and are getting ready for spring. As wicked wings said, as long as they have shelter then they should be fine. I had a hen sitting somewhere in my paddock who, three weeks ago bought out 12 bantam cross chickens so it is all very possible (and we have had sub 0 temps here)

BonJune · **Joined:** Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:41 am **Posts:** 3

We too have had many 0 mornings so I am worries the chicks won't last in that temp but I guess I can leave them and see but I worry about the hens also

HOWARDS · **Joined:** Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:42 am **Posts:** 1

At what age do the chinese silky hens start to sit on eggs?

BonJune · **Joined:** Mon Aug 01, 2011 9:41 am **Posts:** 3

Mine did at 10 months old but some didn't until they were 12 months old

ChickinLickin · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:53 pm

This may sound like a stupid question but :oops:

next time my silkie starts sitting we are going to get some fertile eggs. Is a dozen too many? Also once hatched, do I need to supply any extra warmth with lights etc or does Mum do it all? I know that I will have to seperate her which is ok, but I do worry about her best friend Lulu who calls for Dizzy, even when shes just laying an egg, they are inseperable, so that may be challenging!

kwinagi · **Joined:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:58 pm **Posts:** 236

depending on the size of your silkie, one dozen could be too many, see if you can order in a half dozen, she should comfortably cover them and there won't be any heartbreak of eggs not developing because they popped out to the side.

you need to provide chick starter and water, and shelter. mum chook will do the rest, you don't need any lights etc.

and yes seperating her from your other bird is a good idea.

Sarga · **Joined:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:33 pm **Posts:** 1

As my girls go broody I always collect up the eggs and the hen and move her to a smaller cage on her own its the best thing to do so she gets peace and the chicks won't have to deal with older birds after they hatch

wickedwings · **Posted:** Sun Sep 11, 2011 7:09 pm

So one of our silkies has gone broody again and we have bought half a dozen Plymouth Rock eggs to put under her. I suppose I should have asked when I bought them but it's only just occured to me, do I just lift her up, place all the eggs in the nest and sit her on top? Or do I slip them under her and let her arrange them? Or it doesn't matter and I'm just overthinking it?

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Silky hens sitting

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