I'm in a suburb that doesn't allow roosters. Last year the timing just worked out perfectly and I was able to sneak a few day old chicks under a broody silkie hen at night. Dang if that hen didn't raise those chicks just as if she had hatched them! I'm thinking I might try this again come late summer (my preferred time of raising chicks) if I have another broody. Chances are high I will, since it seems like at least one of the silkies is always broody.
Silkies are great for having a strange pretty bird. They are considered a delicacy by some people. But they while tending to be small. Are very broody chickens. So people who have breeds that won't sit can just throw in a silkie.
update: Medicated chick starter should be safe for hens.
We are always learning with chickens!!!
Thanks for the info
I'm in a suburb that doesn't allow roosters. Last year the timing just worked out perfectly and I was able to sneak a few day old chicks under a broody silkie hen at night. Dang if that hen didn't raise those chicks just as if she had hatched them! I'm thinking I might try this again come late summer (my preferred time of raising chicks) if I have another broody. Chances are high I will, since it seems like at least one of the silkies is always broody.
Aww I hope u can manage it again. U could always bring in a stud for a few hours lol
21 days
wots the point of silkies wierdos?
Silkies are great for having a strange pretty bird. They are considered a delicacy by some people. But they while tending to be small. Are very broody chickens. So people who have breeds that won't sit can just throw in a silkie.