Can a broody silkie hatch out quail eggs for me?

[magsrags]

Wondered about that today.

 

[shelleyd2008]

She could, if you can get her to set them. I tried with a broody OEGB and she evidently didn't recognize them as eggs. Once I gave her some chicken eggs she took right to the nest.

 

[chickenlittle32]

My silkie hen will hatch anything as long as it fits under her...LOL

 

[Wildsky]

Yeah from what I've heard a silkie would hatch a golf ball!

 

[magsrags]

Quote:
that was my worry cause of the size. Myy silkie hatched me out SLW without a problem & even raised them as her own. but these eggs are so darn small she might not know they are even there.

 

[shelleyd2008]

The only problem, if you can get her to set them, is that you'd have to take the chicks away once they hatch so she doesn't mush them.

 

[magsrags]

Good point. Think I'll keep them in the bator to be on the safe side. I candled tonight and 17 are working out of 47 I set. I am keeping my fingers crossed...........6 more days and I stop turning.

 

[JJMR794]

2 PROBLEMS--- 1.THE HEN WILL EITHER CRACK THE EGGS FROM HER SIZE, OR CRUSH THE BABIES WHEN THEY HATCH.... AND....

2. CHECK THIS OUT---http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=250361

 

[magsrags]

Ok, gotcha! No mixing of the birds. The quail will be indorrs for a bit after they hatch.... then in a seperate building/area than my little flock of chickens. Thanks for the heads up!

Gee these little eggs sure are not easy to candle. But I did manage to see some movement tonight which I LOVE ...............tomorrow is day 10.

 

[JJMR794]

Ur Welcome Mags.....

Coincidentally, Thats How I Got My Education On Mixing Fowl.... I Had A 4 Wk Old Silkie Chick I Was Using As A "brooder Nanny" With A Large Batch Of Rare Orimental Pheasants--- Turns Out She Was A Typhoid Mary--- Gave The Pheasants Coryza And I Lost 52 Babies Total. A Lesson Hard Learned.