Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[The Chick Addict]

So she didn't stay very still for the pics but the first time she is actually standing up and looking around rather than head pitched an inch from the ground constantly. Yay!! View attachment 3540770View attachment 3540771View attachment 3540773

So cute and sweet!!!

 

[Hinotori]

She'll be very happy.

Mine dunk their heads in water if available to slick the crest feathers back. Some of them are smart enough to make mud to do it.

 

[Elliemae1984]

I’d love y’all’s opinions…my first broody and all.

I candled the eggs I put under my broody hen (day 7) and none are developing. I’m assuming my rooster isn’t getting his job done (he’s still young).

I just started a batch of shipped eggs in my incubator so I’m hoping I get some chicks out of that.

Should I remove the dud eggs and let broody hen sit on an empty nest? Give her some decoys and replace with chicks once they hatch? Try to break the broody?

I’m pretty disappointed since I was looking forward to their chicks (and I know my rooster has fertilized earlier in the spring…I wonder why he isn’t now)

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

I have a question; so in my recent silkie hatches I've been able to mark the eggs I put in the incubator by which hen laid them. My problem I'm noticing is that one of my blue silkies, Jewel, is not having any fertilized eggs. I don't think there's too much fluff back there because even when she was molting she was laying and there was no extra feathers to have prevented fertilization. I know the roosters are doing their job because all my other girls eggs are hatching. What could the problem be?

 

[chickengr]

I have a question; so in my recent silkie hatches I've been able to mark the eggs I put in the incubator by which hen laid them. My problem I'm noticing is that one of my blue silkies, Jewel, is not having any fertilized eggs. I don't think there's too much fluff back there because even when she was molting she was laying and there was no extra feathers to have prevented fertilization. I know the roosters are doing their job because all my other girls eggs are hatching. What could the problem be?

trim feathers around her vent and see if that helps.

 

[Hinotori]

I’d love y’all’s opinions…my first broody and all.

I candled the eggs I put under my broody hen (day 7) and none are developing. I’m assuming my rooster isn’t getting his job done (he’s still young).

I just started a batch of shipped eggs in my incubator so I’m hoping I get some chicks out of that.

Should I remove the dud eggs and let broody hen sit on an empty nest? Give her some decoys and replace with chicks once they hatch? Try to break the broody?

I’m pretty disappointed since I was looking forward to their chicks (and I know my rooster has fertilized earlier in the spring…I wonder why he isn’t now)

I leave dummy eggs. I prefer hens to raise the chicks for me. My silkies are always eager to take chicks. Last hen actually got off the nest and started dancing when she heard the first chick I brought out. Ive had others rush at me to get them.

 

[Hinotori]

I have a question; so in my recent silkie hatches I've been able to mark the eggs I put in the incubator by which hen laid them. My problem I'm noticing is that one of my blue silkies, Jewel, is not having any fertilized eggs. I don't think there's too much fluff back there because even when she was molting she was laying and there was no extra feathers to have prevented fertilization. I know the roosters are doing their job because all my other girls eggs are hatching. What could the problem be?

She may not be cooperative with the roosters, or they are just going for their favorite hens.

 

[CSolis]

OMG OMG OMG,, I went out to feed and noticed a partial eggshell in front of Blue Bonnet. I thought she had broken an egg.. but NOT! Her very first successful hatch! I didn't think she had been sitting THAT long.

 

[The Chick Addict]

OMG OMG OMG,, I went out to feed and noticed a partial eggshell in front of Blue Bonnet. I thought she had broken an egg.. but NOT! Her very first successful hatch! I didn't think she had been sitting THAT long.

Yay!!!

 

[CSolis]

First chick spotted late yesterday vs this morning.. Blue Bonnet hatched 9 of 9 eggs. Her very first successful hatch. And all through thunder, lightning and rain and a tree limb falling next to the pen during the storm. Talk about dedication!

Silkies simply are the BEST!