Space Chick Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 (edited) ..... being sat on 9 eggs! That's if you are Sue, my red Silkie. In all my years of chicken keeping, I don't think I've ever seen a hen look more content Edited May 22, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 She does look very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 She is gorgeous. My partridge silkie is broody right now, no eggs under her, they would be hatching about now if she were. Makes me feel a bit broody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Looks very comfortable .....love the expression on her face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Awww, she does look very happy. When are her eggs due to hatch ? I would love to see some chicky photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Ah, happiness is looking at that picture - so heart warming and such a lovely coloured chook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 She's been sat for 8 days, so another 13 days before eggs would be due to hatch. We are taking a gamble though as we don't know if the eggs are fertile we bought a hen that had been in with a cockerel, so we saved her eggs in the attempt of trying BOGOF chickens Sue (the silkie) has 9 eggs under her, so we shall wait and see. But we decided it was a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" situation. Although I sold all my hatching equipment as after the heartbreak of cockerels on previous hatches, I'd vowed never again I'm sure I can handle a couple more cockerels if the situation arises I do keep telling myself that I am actually counting my chickens before they hatch I'm leaving this one for Mother Nature to decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 What a beautiful girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 She is a beautiful colour. Fingers crossed for some girl chicks. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Space Chick that sounds such a nice thing to be doing. I've got my fingers crossed . Do let us know the results, won't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzieLloyd Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 gorgeous pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSilver Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 It's a Zen Hen! (sorry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Just lovin this picture Fingers crosed for fertility and lots of girls Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Clear egg We have 7 that look like this so may be fertile? Day 10 and Blue eggs are so hard to see through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 The first time I hatched DD's boyfriend candled the eggs for me as he had done it before and I found the experience amazing. I couldn't believe how you could see so much, I had read about it but to see the blood vessels and some movements was just amazing. I would love to hatch again but at the moment I do not have the space or the time. Good luck, keep us posted on progress. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 How amazing,looking forward to news.Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 10, 2014 Author Share Posted May 10, 2014 The first time I hatched DD's boyfriend candled the eggs for me as he had done it before and I found the experience amazing. I couldn't believe how you could see so much, I had read about it but to see the blood vessels and some movements was just amazing. That's the problem with blue eggs, because they are blue all the way through it's horrendously difficult to see blood vessels! When we've hatched blue eggs before we've had the same issue but cream/white eggs in the same hatch have been easy to see. Of course this time we only have blue eggs, so we will have to wait and see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Blue eggs are such a nightmare to candle The darker ones look similar to ones I've hatched though and the fact they don't look the same as the very clear eggis good Not very scientific but the best you are going to get from me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 11, 2014 Author Share Posted May 11, 2014 Thanks Tasha That was kind of my logic aswell. Although, this hatching with a broody malarkey, whilst should be easier, I am actually finding more stressful than incubator hatching OH is so excited about the potential of a hatch, he will be gutted if nothing happens. I've ordered alphastart, as the hens can always have it as a treat if we don't get chicks. I need to get a chick drinker and feeder. I'm still thinking I'll leave this one to Mother Nature. Will dread dealing with the boys if/when the time comes, but equally, essential and make tasty dinners! After our last hatch where we had 10 hatch and 7 boys, I'm hoping chick karma will be kinder. The maximum chick count we will get is 7. So I really do hope I won't have 5 crowing in 2 days like last time which was a very upsetting and hard two days!! (Even though we did get some amazing meals!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 19, 2014 Author Share Posted May 19, 2014 Well day 20 today, so I guess tomorrow we will know! Sue is still very content and yesterday and today has been making almost cooing noises! Don't know if this is a good sign or not She's definitely lost some weight though, although is still looking in great condition and is eating and drinking well. I'll be giving her loads of mealworms if/when she has the chicks as even though she will be eating the alpha start I want her to get as much protein and energy as possible. One question, I don't get medicated chick crumb as I think alpha start is superior. When I have incubator hatched I have routinely given coxoid from Day 3 followed by probiotics as a prevention for cocodawhatchamacallit (spelling not a strong point). Will Sue be OK if she drinks this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 I think it just has an egg withdrawal period, and she's not going to be laying for a while. Too busy with her new babes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 It was actually Day 21 yesterday so all Tuesday I panicked until I checked the calendar for when I set the eggs! Yesterday I also panicked, but came home today to this marvellous sight Sue is still sitting tight on the other eggs, so I'm going to leave them until tomorrow in case there are any stragglers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Oh sweet little souls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 oh my gosh, that is wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 They're so cute what type are they? We got a mixed bunch of hatching eggs after seeing a sign at the side of the road and having a broody so looking forward to our hatch day. Most of them are brown and never having candled before I couldn't really see but they looked similar to your photos so I'm hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
