Not sure I am going to actually do this, but just in case, I wanted to know how to get a silkie hen to hatch out shipped packaged eggs.
Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Shipped eggs hatched by silkies.. info needed
First you need a broody silkie. (as if there were any who weren't) I just removed most of her eggs from the nest and slipped the new ones in. She came back, saw the nest was full and started setting. If she is already setting, you might need to remove all the old eggs as you don't want one some hatching before the others.
I have heard of people forcing a hen into broodiness by putting her in a confined space with eggs for three or four eggs, but I've never tried it.
Ty Jylgaskin,
I have twelve hens here from ideal, no roosters. Three love to set all day on eggs that are not fertilized, so I shouldn't have a problem with that part. I was concerned about removing the eggs they lay, and how to mark the ones I buy, if I do. I know I don't want anything toxic on the eggs.
Then, I was wondering, after they are born, should I leave them with the hens or bring them in the house? I love to watch baby chicks, but if I bring them in, will the hens accept them again, or do they become aliens and unwanted, and possibly harmed?
Guess I have a lot of questions. Ty for your kind response.
It is best to mark the eggs with a pencil--although my Sebright rubbed a lot of the markings from the Barnevelder eggs I put under her. She did hatch one though---I let him stay with her for 3 days and then brought him in with other chicks I had--so he had a group to bond with. I don't think the hen will accept them back if you separate them too long. My Sebright had been broody for over two months--but when I took the chick away she finally got off the nest.
Thanks Catscan.
Is this a good time of year to have eggs shipped, or is it still too cold?
I'm leaning toward letting the hens raise the babies. I may have to keep them locked in their pen though, so the cat will not get them. Bad cat. So far, that cat has not been in the backyard again that I've seen. He's still hanging around though.
So I can just get the eggs, mark them, put them in the nest where the broody hens are, and the hens take care of the rest? I can still take the eggs they lay out?
Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I'd like to know what to expect. These eggs are not cheap. One wants $41 for 8, and another wants $50 for 12. They should be good show quality chicks though. I wonder how many would actually hatch?
Yes I have chicken fever again. Maybe I'll get over it.
It is a terrible affliction:0).
I don't think it is too cold--but that may also depend on where they are being shipped from ("from which location they are being shipped,"-- in case the Grammarian is watching--although I think she is liberal with the looser participles).
I would try substituting the eggs at night...one of my Nankins will abandon a nest I mess with, but when I swapped the eggs at night she stayed with them. It helps if the eggs are similar in size to the ones they are on...my Sebright was accustomed to sitting on a big wooden nest egg and when I tried to give her some little Serama eggs (more her size) she pushed them out. But then she was happy sitting on a big Barnevelder egg.
A broody hen will not lay eggs anyway LOJ. So there should not be a bunch of extras in the box. They only get up once a day (about) to eat and poo. They turn the eggs and everything all by themselves. I hatched some in the incubator and some under my broody girl. She had 100% hatch. incubator about 65%. :/ They do a better job than I could ever. I had to remove my chicks though because I was fearful that the babies would be hurt by my two roos. I had shipped eggs in Dec. and Jan. The ones from Dec. only one hatched. But The ones from Jan I had a good rate hatch. It depends on how close they are and how long it takes. My shipper packed the eggs and blanketed them for the cold. They were packed really well. Good luck. Best wishes.
If they are broody, they are not getting out of the nest. I'd do it at night like Catscan said.. and only switch a few at first, just to make sure she doesn't kick out your expensive eggs!
Well, since you don't have a roo, you have one less thing for the chicks to worry about.. :)
If it were me, I'd sure try to leave the chicks with the mom. #1 reason being health.. I think they are stronger if raised naturally. That's not a scientific fact or anything.. Just my opinion.
If they start to fail, or you see them not eating, or the mom not caring for them properly, you could always take em out then..
Never count your chickens before they hatch. :)
I always prefer to leave chicks with mom. She raises them for me and she dosen"t start annother nest right away. I had my silkies steal the duck nests and the duck kept starting new ones. One duck sat with the silkie and as soon as the eggs hatched there was a big fight and the silkie got the ducklings and three chicks of her own), the duck imediately started another nest. The silkies will do the same thing if you take their chicks. They are determined to replace them as soon as possible.
I've had my silkies raise everything from silkies to ducks to bigger chicks to peacocks and one even tried to take over raising a stray gosling that showed up. THAT was pretty funny, within weeks it was way bigger than her, but she still tried to push it around and cover it at night. It sure makes it easier on me if they raise them!