The only experience I have with a hen hatching eggs and other chickens being around was not good. The others killed the new hatchlings. Whether it was another hen or the rooster who committed carnage, I am not sure. If she were mine, I would remove him from the pen and leave her to hatch the eggs. After they are hatched and doing well, you can test him while watching. I have heard Silkie roos are gentle and nurturing but I have no proof at that on our farm.
Chickens are mean and kill babies. I found baby chicks maimed in our barnyard. I have told this story before , but in case you didn’t hear it…….our now deceased turkey hen, Lilly, want to hatch eggs so badly, but we had no tom turkey. One of the guineas laid an egg in her house and Lilly sat on this egg for FOUR weeks. (
Lilly became crippled and we never knew how old she really was because we bought her as an adult……..I had her humanely euthanized by our vet. I couldn’t treat her like barnyard fowl……..she was a pet and we loved her.
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
From:
Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 2:42 PM
To:
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Advice please: New Chicks
Yesterday's query got no responses, and I'm getting nervous! My Silkie hen is (hopefully) about to hatch 3 eggs, and I have an important question: Do I need to separate the chicks from the daddy? He's a very nice Silkie rooster but I don't know if most people keep the roosters separated from brand new chicks. Is there a chance he will be nice and help raise them, or is the risk of him hurting them too high?
Also, the weather here is in the mid 80s during the day, and down to the high 40s or low 50s at night. Am I correct in thinking mama hen will be able to keep her babies warm? When should I worry about it? I can bring them inside if needed.
Thanks for any advice --
signed, a nervous soon-to-be chicken grandma
--Maureen
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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