I have a pair of Bantam Splash Silkies. The rooster is a cocky little fellow, but he tanlges with the big roosters who are three times his size, and he got hurt. So, I put him with his wife in a large cage to protect them. They did not seem to mind the confinement at all, and the rooster was very protective of his lady. Soon she had 7 lovely little tiny eggs in her nest and she began to brood them. The rooster slept beside her at night to keep her warm. Isn't that every so touching? Unlike ruminants, who get up at night to eat, chickens actually sleep when it is night, and they sleep quite heavily.
Today, there was some commotion in their box, so I moved in closer to see what the trouble was. One of the eggs had pipped and out popped a very tiny little chick, definitely a Splash Silkie. Unfortunately, he got himself out of the nest and got cold. The mother did not attempt to bring him back so I opened the cage and set him in the nest. She returned to her nest to finish brooding the eggs, which will most likely hatch during the night and tomorrow. The Bantams brood for approximately 21 days, but could be only 20 or as much as 23, depending on the conditions. If it was cold, the eggs may have taken longer. She was a very good setter, true to the Silkie hen reputation. She is a little nervous without her husband, but I am not sure he should be there until the chicks are hatched and able to return to their mother if they get cold.
I checked before I came in and heard peeping, and am assuming the little chick is just fine. Hopefully by tomorrow, there will be 6 more little ones in the nest. Way to go Mamma Silkie! Thank you for your motherly dedication to the continuance of your species. Isn't the Creator wonderful?
Today, there was some commotion in their box, so I moved in closer to see what the trouble was. One of the eggs had pipped and out popped a very tiny little chick, definitely a Splash Silkie. Unfortunately, he got himself out of the nest and got cold. The mother did not attempt to bring him back so I opened the cage and set him in the nest. She returned to her nest to finish brooding the eggs, which will most likely hatch during the night and tomorrow. The Bantams brood for approximately 21 days, but could be only 20 or as much as 23, depending on the conditions. If it was cold, the eggs may have taken longer. She was a very good setter, true to the Silkie hen reputation. She is a little nervous without her husband, but I am not sure he should be there until the chicks are hatched and able to return to their mother if they get cold.
I checked before I came in and heard peeping, and am assuming the little chick is just fine. Hopefully by tomorrow, there will be 6 more little ones in the nest. Way to go Mamma Silkie! Thank you for your motherly dedication to the continuance of your species. Isn't the Creator wonderful?
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