The Poultry Keeper The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers    FAQ   Search     Register   Log in  Stupid question: how will i know when silkies are broody? Goto page 1, 2  Next          The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers Author Message ntsmama Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 246 Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:03 am    Post subject: Stupid question: how will i know when silkies are broody? I bought them as 15 week old birds at Christmas. How will i know when to put fertile eggs under them? Sorry for asking such a stupid question Back to top Gilly C Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:49 am    Post subject: They will stay in a nest box or dark corner sit all day fluff up and maybe grumble should you move them, it is very obvious but as they are youngsters they will probably lay for a bit first I would think you have a bit of a wait my youngsters hatched last September are not laying yet though the cockerel is crowing if you use your imaginatioon ! Back to top Sparklepeeps Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1967 Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:24 am    Post subject: You will know! They make a new sound that you wont have heard before, and they become vicious ! I was dead scared when I first tried to move my broody SilkyX, but if you just brave it, when she pecks you its no where near as bad as you imagine! Back to top vanessa Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1269 Location: Correze Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:41 am    Post subject: What I love about a broody is when she comes out to eat ... even on day 1 of sitting, she "talks" whilst eating as if to try to encourage the babies to come and eat!! SO sweet! Back to top Sparklepeeps Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1967 Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:54 am    Post subject: vanessa wrote: What I love about a broody is when she comes out to eat ... even on day 1 of sitting, she "talks" whilst eating as if to try to encourage the babies to come and eat!! SO sweet! Ive never noticed that before! Back to top vanessa Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1269 Location: Correze Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:58 am    Post subject: Well, our broody does it, so I assumed it was "normal"!! Back to top Sparklepeeps Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1967 Location: Cheshire Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:01 pm    Post subject: Ill look out for it! Mine does make a hell of a lot of noise when she comes off her nest! Back to top Gilly C Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:36 pm    Post subject: My Silkies just get a bit cross no where near how grumpy other breeds have been !! having just said no eggs from my youngsters I have just collected 4 from 5 hens must be todays lovely sunshine also a guinea egg never had one this early before !! Back to top Diane Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Location: Dorset Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:39 pm    Post subject: My silkie just 'tuts' at me if I go too near when she's broody. Has a bit of a fluff up and shuffle - as much as to say 'don't bother me, I'm busy concentrating on my eggs ). It's all done in a very ladylike way - no viciousness or attacking - just mild intolerance of fussing humans. Back to top vanessa Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1269 Location: Correze Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:46 pm    Post subject: Oooh, if only!! When moving our broody to the broody-coop, you have to wear leather gloves and a thickly-padded jacket!! Even at night! Once installed, though, she goes straight to the eggs and sits tight ... only coming out once a day to feed, drink and poop! Back to top ntsmama Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 246 Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:36 pm    Post subject: So do I need to inrtoduce eggs in order for her to become broody? Or does she go broody and then I give her eggs to sit on? Back to top kated Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:42 pm    Post subject: ntsmama, she needs to lay a clutch of her own eggs to start the broodiness off. You can remove those eggs and replace them with whichever eggs you wish, but she needs to go through the egg laying process to start the broodiness. Back to top Tracey Morris Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 289 Location: South Wales Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:34 pm    Post subject: Hello I am new to this forum but just had to post bout silkies. I bought a broody silkie hen last August with 2 chicks. She has brought them up fantastically. I went to the smallholding we have on Monday to find her in the road with feathers all over the place and hopping I am pleased to say that she is still about and hasn't died - which I thought she would have done after the shock of what ever happened. I am not sure if she was had by a dog or a car. Do you think she will recover? She is eating and still getting about VERY well on her own and occasionally hangs around with the other chickens. Back to top vanessa Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1269 Location: Correze Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:43 pm    Post subject: If she's eating and drinking, she has a very good chance of recovery. Lucky chook that you came along when you did! Back to top Gilly C Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:44 pm    Post subject: They usually die from shock in a situation like that if she is still here I would say you have a survivor there,as long as she is eating and drinking the signs look good, Good Luck Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2 Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group