[Jane-M]

Thank you Urban Chickens, I may be in touch if my  silkie ever gets broody! I have found some Dorking or Dorking cross (not totally sure what hens she got in the end). I will be having them from that day's lay and taking them the three miles home. Straight under my hen?

BTW many thanks to all - yes joyfull, this forum is fab!!

[joyfull]

yes as they aren't travelling by post they can go straight under mum - so that becomes day 0 

[Jane-M]

This morning I ousted her from the nest to have a walk about and eat/drink etc. Unfortunately she did not go back to the nest and after half an hour I had to go to work. Would she normally return of her own accord or do I have to shove her back in to keep the eggs from getting cold? She's still on dummies so it doesn't matter just for now.

[joyfull]

normally they would poop, eat, drink and dust bathe then go back to the eggs but thay can be off the eggs for longer than 1/2 hour so she may have gone back not long after you went to work  . Are you off work at the weekend? If so you may be able to see what she does then.

[Jane-M]

I'll be with her tomorrow, Sat and Sun. So I should know her routine before the real eggs go in on Monday. So excited. What a child I am.

[joyfull]

We're all the same