The Broody Adventures of Shelby the SIlkie

Awww...take some pics of the grey ones!

How are shelby's babies doing?

will take pics. as soon a it warms up

Just checked on them this am.. they are all dry.. Shelby must be comfortable, she went and ate, while I looked.. I was going to pick one up but it screamed and she came running back.. so I figured it was time to shut it down... still 4 eggs to go.. none look like they are pipping at all.. wonder if I should candle them.. I don't want to move her.. and I know she can keep the babies warm.. but I do worry about this freezing weather and its not suppose to be any better all next week.

We were blessed at 4 am with a lot of chirping and another odor.. do you know when that shell opens up all the way it really does stink..
Anyway, another nice dark colored partridge looking chick.. what a mamma.. teaches.. them to eat, drink and scratch all the while her butt is swashed to the ground.. sitting on the other eggs.. she is the best ma!!

3 more eggs to go.

she will leave the rest of the eggs soon so you will need to be ready to collect them

This message was edited Oct 28, 2008 9:15 PM

Fran hows it going with your chicks and eggs it's amazing how she is sitting on her nest and teaching her chicks too i have never seen a hen return to a nest for unhatched eggs.
Are you doing something special? Explain Please??

#6 started to pip a couple of days ago.. little pieces of shell popped off leaving a white papery thingy to break through.. it was about 1/8 inch square.. anyway late last night I could hear him screaming away in there.. he had gotten his little beak out.. but just barely.. and was full-fledge out this am.. but he was rolling around.. & Shelby, eggs, and other chicks were on the other side of the box, and the little guy was screaming away.. not to mention frozen... so I warmed him up.. cleaned up Shelby's messes, as I usually do... she will allow me to talk and pet, play with her little ones until she tires then she will grab a piece of hay and put it on her back.. if I don't pay attention she will do it again only making a little more noise this time.. its really rather funny.. kind of like shes putting a secret cloak over themselves and I can't see them.. LOL

Anyway, this afternoon, after kicking the little guy out several times... I finally took care of him myself.. and guess I didn't do a good enough job... because we lost him late this afternoon.. I was so proud of her.. we had been doing really well.. but he still had that egg piece stuck on that wing and a spot of blood there.. so I wonder if something was wrong...

We have 2 more to go... she is still sitting on them and taking very good care of those eggs.

So far the totals are
8 eggs
5 babies
1 loss
2 eggs due in the next 3 days

Glad to know all is well and sorry for your loss.
I'm sure the others will be just fine too after all look what a good mama they have^_^

A few updated photos.

the 4 partridge looking silkies

Adorable shot! Boink, boink, boink, boink!
Sorry 'bout your baby, but you are probably right about the reason for blood. Not meant to be.
Fingers crossed for the rest of these keyuttieeeees!

~music

all 5 babies

I was thinking Marquee (Markee) like a diamond? for that one in the back with the big diamond shaped black around it's eye.
What darling pics! Perfect way to start the day. :)
Congratulations on such a great hatch.

Yes they are so cute. Congratz Frans.

Beautiful chicks Frans, congratulations. Does this make you a grandmother?

#7 has been born.... more later... but wanted to update

beautiful frans