mollyripkim Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 Hi everyone, I have five young silkies and am still getting three eggs per day, the other two still seem immature. I am a bit worried about Doris, she spent a lot of time in the eglu house yesterday although came out to free range for a little while so I kept my eye on her until around 4.30 when I checked under her and she had a really warm egg and wasn't happy when I took it away. Then again today she retreated to the eglu at around 2pm and wouldn't come out even for porridge and raisins which she usually loves. I have just gone out to shut the eglu door (it's 8 pm) and she was sat on her own, again with a warm egg under her. I have checked her over and she has no obvious health problems. I have read the section on broodiness but can,t shut them out of the eglu as it's too cold and the others are laying. Any advice would really be appreciated, can they get broody in the winter. Sorry for the ramble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Hello there I have two silkies of my own. The breed itself is renowned for being stubbornly broody. And by the sounds of it, i think Doris is Silkies go into lay in winter usually, mine get very broody in the summer (sometimes for as long as 60 days!) Whenever my girls are broody, i turf them off the next about 4-5 times a day so they get the opportunity to have a nibble and a drink, otherwise yes they can get poorly. Just ensure that she is eating and drinking and can walk okay. If she is laying eggs then that is always a good sign, but if she is broody then expect the egg laying to come to a standstill for a while. All the best xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 Hi Thank you so much for your advice, I am really relieved. You know what it is like, I sort of knew in my head that she was broody but didn't want to take any chances as it is so cold. In fact since posting I found her nestled on another egg so unless by some miracle she laid two eggs in one day then I don't think they are both hers. I will do what you say and move her out every couple of hours to make sure she is eating and drinking. She didn't come out for porridge last night but I did let them free range for a couple of hours today and she stayed out for about 3/4 hour before retreating to her nest and her crop was full tonight. They are just such dear little things and I worry about them so much so really appreciate your reply. Best Wishes Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Glad I found this post as I have a broody pekin/silkie - I have just shut the eglu door as it is much too cold to put her in a cage on her own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
