[WR1]

I have got a broody silkie but she hasnt been with a cockerel so the eggs are not fertalized so it is pointless her sitting on them . This may seem dafft but as we want some geese for Christmas would we be able to put goose eggs under her so she would be sitting on them and it wouldnt be pointless.

From Catii

[pushrod]

No Catii, not pointless at all.I have heard of a silkie hatching a pair of goose eggs. However you would need to get the eggs under her as soon as she goes broody so she didn't lose interest part way through - which would still be a risk as i think the incubation period is nearer 30 days rather than a chickens 21.

[Vember]

Hi WR1
My light sussex sat 3 goose eggs for me last month, she did a great job and had been sitting 5 days before I put them under. It's down to the bird in the end if she'll sit long enough?

Only thing you will have to do is check she's turning them as they're alot heavier than a chook egg. I turned mine 3 times a day but I know for a fact she was doing it as well

I only got one hatch but that was fault on my part not the chicken.
The lady I got my goose eggs from had 4 under her Silkie so yep it'll be fine

I hope you give it a go, let me know how you get on

Vember

[WR1]

Ye I am going to give it ago because Rocky (the silkie) is sitting at the moment with nothing even under her . How many goose eggs do you think I can put under her because she is a bantam silkie so shes not very big.

What breed of goose eggs do you think would be best if we wanted to eat them for Christmas ?

From Catii

[WR1]

Many thanks for reply I will get some eggs today and give it a try .

[Vember]

I think 2 might be best if she's only little, see what 2 is like under her you can always pop another if it looks like she's got room

As for breed that I'm not sure about as mine are pets, but would imagine your bog standard farm goose would do

Sorry can't be of more help

Vember

[WR1]

Thanks vember great help .

I cant find any goose eggs near me so i think were putting turkey instead as there is a farm that i know that have turkey eggs but sadly they dont have goose eggs.

Do you think turkey would be ok under her ?

From Catii

[Vember]

ye pop a couple under she'll do a great job for you

[Lost in France]

Go for it, my silkies hatched a couple of peacocks, 2 years ago, and treated them just like their own!! Trouble is the cheeky male peacock now thinks he's a chicken  :roll: and, not only covers the hens but, is at war  :twisted: with the cockerel...it's so bad that I have to keep Buster (the cock), in the run!! Hopefully once the testosterone has dwindled...they'll be friends again! It was lovely to see the little silkies treating the hunky peachicks like their own babies...and funnier to see the peachicks skwaking for their tiny "mums" when frightened or hungry!!

You shouldn't have the problem with the males as you plan to eat them so good luck!!

Judi  

[millypede]

Hi, I have a broody bantam who has been sitting for almost 3 weeks now.  She has a selection of eggs under her and seems very happy.  I was concerned that the eggs are such different types and that she might reject them if they hatch as they wouldn't look like her or my other chickens either.  The strange eggs are Wyandottes, Black Minorcas and Anconas, given to me by a friend who breeds chooks and knew that I wanted some variety within my flock.  My concern is whether I should be moving her to her own house and arc as she is sitting in one of the nesting boxes of the main chicken house with all the others.  Perhaps someone could advise me what is best.  Anxious chicken granny to be!!

[WR1]

Hi Millypede iv been told that you should put them in a place were there on there own were they can sit happily in peace.

I couldnt get hold of any Turkey eggs either . So Iv had duck eggs to put under her . The ducks if they hatch should be a good layers and good for meat . So hopefully they will hatch !!

How many duck eggs do you think I could put under the Silkie ??

From Catii