Tag: broody

Silkie Bantam: A Complete Guide

Written by a real person & chicken keeper!

The Silkie Bantam (my personal favorite breed) is a very unique breed, believed to have originated in Asia — possibly China, India, or Japan. Classified as a bantam breed, they are recognized by the American Poultry Association in both bearded and non-bearded varieties, with several accepted colors including white, black, blue, buff, partridge, splash, and gray.
Physical Traits
Silkies are most famous for their signature soft, fluffy, fur-like appearance. Their skin is a black-blueish color, and their comb and wattles are mulberry-colored. Unlike most chickens, Silkies have five toes instead of four. They are small in size, with hens weighing around 2–3 pounds and roosters 3–4 pounds. They lay cream or tinted eggs, producing about three a week, when not broody.  While not prolific layers, they more than make up for it with their exceptional broody tendencies. (broody describes a hen’s natural instinct to sit on eggs and hatch them.)
Temperament
Silkies are extremely gentle, calm, and friendly, especially if they are handled often as chicks. I don’t have much experience with roosters since they aren’t allowed where I live, but sources claim they are usually less aggressive than those of other breeds.
Heat and Cold Tolerance
Silkies require a bit more care in extreme weather due to their feather structure. Their fluffy feathers don’t insulate as well as standard feathers and are not waterproof. In cold weather, they can easily become chilled if they get wet. They tolerate mild cold fairly well if kept dry and in a draft-free coop, but below freezing they need extra protection such as insulation, deep bedding, and careful monitoring for frostbite.
When it comes to heat, many sources claim Silkies struggle in high temperatures. However, I will argue that since I raise Silkies in the desert. With a misting system, a fan, plenty of shade, and a shallow pool, my Silkies have handled temperatures as high as 119 and do remarkably well. In fact, my heavier breeds show far more signs of distress in extreme heat than the Silkies.
Broody Tendencies
Many hens will go broody multiple times a year, and once they commit, they are determined — even if it means setting on an empty nest. A broody hen will set on eggs for 21 days, raise the chicks for several weeks to a few months, and may start the cycle again shortly afterward. While broody, a hen doesn’t lay eggs, which explains why Silkies produce fewer eggs overall than non-broody breeds. FYI, a broody hen will happily set on and hatch eggs laid by other members of the flock.

Great Adoptive Mothers
(Raising hatch-a-longs)

Silkies will usually accept 2 day old baby chicks that aren’t their own, including incubator-hatched or mail-order chicks, as long as the chicks are slipped under them at night. Of course, it’s important to watch closely to make sure they are accepted. I’ve had great success with my Silkies raising hatch-a-longs. Want to learn more?

How to Introduce Chicks to a Broody Hen.

Not only will the Silkie Bantam make a wonderful addition to your flock, their unique fluffy appearance will also add a little charm and beauty. Bye for now! 🙂

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How to Introduce Chicks to a Broody Hen

Putting chicks under a broody hen is a natural way to raise baby chicks. These chicks are called hatch-a-longs. There are a few steps to follow for this to be successful. But keep in mind, there’s no guarantee your hen will accept the chicks, so keep a watchful eye after the introduction.

How To Introduce Hatch-a-Longs to Broody Hen

Make sure your hen is truly broody, which means she is sitting on eggs (or fake eggs) and exhibiting signs of wanting to hatch them. Signs of broodiness include sitting on the nest for long periods of time, puffing up her feathers, and spreading herself over the eggs giving her a flattened appearance. She may be pulling out her feathers for the nest. Important: Your hen needs to be dedicated to her eggs for at least 2 weeks.
Prepare a safe and clean environment: Choose a clean and dry area within your coop or a separate brooding area that is safe from predators, drafts, and dampness. Provide bedding such as pine shavings for the hen and chicks to nest in. A completely enclosed area is best.

The enclosure I use for my broody hen & hatch-a-longs

Purchase day-old chicks preferably, but up to 3 days old is usually acceptable. Place the chicks in a temperature-controlled brooder with access to food & water until nightfall.
Late at night is best to place chicks under your hen. Broody hens are more receptive to accepting new chicks at night when they are more relaxed and in that weird hypnotic state that occurs after dark. Your chick feed and drinker should be in place at this time. Make sure both are close by and easily accessed by the chicks. Your hen can eat the chick starter, it will be good for her since she probably hasn’t been eating enough while broody.
Tuck the chicks under the broody hen’s wing. If possible, do this in complete darkness to minimize disruption. Avoid disturbing the broody hen too much during this process.
Observe the broody hen and chicks closely to ensure that the hen is accepting the chicks and keeping them warm. The hen’s body heat is crucial for the chicks’ survival, especially during the first few days of their lives.
Continue to provide a safe and clean environment for the broody hen and chicks, free from drafts, predators, and dampness. Regularly clean the bedding and ensure that the chicks have enough space to move around and grow.

Silkie hen & her hatch-a-long

In The Perfect Scenario, What to Expect

By following these steps and providing proper care, the broody hen should take care of the chicks, keeping them warm, teaching them to eat and drink, and providing them with maternal care.
After a Few Days, the hen can be allowed to take her chicks out with the other hens and she will protect them but watch carefully to make sure.
By Week Five or Six, the hen will begin distancing herself from the chicks. Make sure to have multiple feeders & drinkers, as the new birds will surely have to find their place in the pecking order. If there’s going to be drama (expect it) it will be where the food is.
Lastly, have fun, and don’t forget to enjoy the experience.

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Silkies, A Unique Breed of Chicken

Silkie chickens are a unique breed of chicken known for their distinct appearance and personality. They are the best breed if you’re looking to hatch eggs because they are excellent dedicated mothers, and you can count on them to be broody many times a year.
Silkies can come in a variety of colors, including splash, white, black, blue, buff, gray, and partridge. Their feathers have a unique fluffy and soft appearance because they lack the barbs and barbules that hold the feathers together in most other chicken breeds. This gives Silkie a distinctive appearance and texture.
Additionally, they have black skin and bones, and their feathers can have a slight iridescence or shine to them.

Here are Some of the Key Characteristics that Make Silkies Different

Appearance: Silkies have a unique appearance that sets them apart from other breeds. They are covered in fluffy, fur-like feathers that feel soft and silky to the touch. They also have black or blue skin, dark-colored meat, and a distinctive crest of feathers on their head.
Personality: Silkies are known for their friendly and docile nature. They enjoy affection and attention and are a great choice for children to raise.
Broodiness: Silkies are known for their broody nature, meaning they have a strong instinct to sit on and incubate their eggs. This makes them popular among backyard chicken keepers who want to hatch their chicks.
Size: Silkies are a smaller breed of chicken, weighing between 2-3 pounds on average.
When it comes to egg production, silkies are not considered to be prolific egg layers.
On average, Silkies lay around 100-120 small, cream-colored eggs per year. As a comparison, the popular Rhode Island Red hen lays approximately 250-300 eggs per year. Keep in mind, egg production for all breeds can be influenced by various factors, such as age, diet, and environment.

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