Maternal behavior is not confined to humans only, but it is a strong instinct that appears clearly in all creatures. Even wild animals that attack their prey, come to their child and turn into a very tender mother.
It is also surprising that you find the quiet and meek little Silkie birds that are famous for their cowardice and lacking the ability to defend themselves turn into ferocious birds and resist with all their strength if anyone approaches their eggs or chicks!
This is the only situation in which Silkie is seen this tough! Indeed, they are amazing mothers, they may sacrifice their lives in order to protect their young, and they are considered as an ideal wealth in the herd, as they embrace and care for the young. They provide you with a new generation without much effort from you.
Let’s get to know more about Silkie’s mothers and the details of their unique maternal behavior.
Are Silkies Good Mothers?
Yes, Silkie chickens are wonderful mothers, and it is one of the remarkable qualities of silkie chickens. They have an amazing ability to incubate eggs and raise a group of chicks that exceed twenty chicks for a long time.
The Brooding Behavior Of Silkies
Silkie chickens will be enthusiastic and have a great deal of responsibility from the start. The motherhood characteristic of Silkie is not a fleeting characteristic, but rather it is a basic characteristic that has a strong genetic and hereditary basis.
When Silkie finds a group of eggs, this stimulates her little cute brain to send a signal that she is ready to incubate the eggs. Silkie chickens can lay on about 10 small bantam eggs or 6 large eggs from duck eggs and large chicks.
How Do Silkies Perform As Mothers?
Silkie begins her journey of incubating eggs with love and sacrifice, laying on them all day and leaving them only once a day to eat. Do you know that some Silkie mothers are so excited and eager for their eggs that they forget to eat or drink?
So make sure that food and water are very close to her so that she is not left without food and that she can reach them easily. However, keep an eye on her and if she does not get up to eat and drink, urge her to do so. Move it gently and close to the food, it may show some anger and resistance, but it will engage in eating quickly as soon as it reaches it and then immediately return again to sit on the eggs.
Interested to learn more about the remarkable qualities of this breed? You can find our more here in our guide about the benefits of Silkie chicken!
Silkie Chicken’s Role In Raising Chicks
Silkie will never leave her eggs so don’t worry and leave it to her, wait relaxed until the eggs hatch. Silkie eggs will take up to 21 days to start hatching. Silkie will take care of hatched chicks she will dry and warm her chicks as soon as they hatch.
Silkie spreads its wings to protect its young from predators and any danger. Also, this warms their young, thereby providing energy for them so they can eat. Chicks can remain for about 72 hours after hatching without eating.
How Will Silkies Teach Their Chicks Important Survival Skills?
Silkie takes care of her young and can carry food for them in her beak and feed it to them. She may also bring large pieces of food and drop them on the ground for her young children.
Silkie’s mothers teach the chicks to search for food, as she makes specific gurgles to attract the attention of the young chicks, then proceed to pick up any food and drop it in front of them until they start to peck it.
Generally, young chicks instinctively know how to scratch the ground in search of food as soon as they can stand and walk, but the mothers prod this and let them know that it is good to eat.
How Do You Tell If A Hen Will Be A Good Mom?
You can tell if the hen will be a good mother easily. The good mother will be excited and will rush to their nesting box and will only leave her eggs to eat once a day only. They will knock on any chickens or people that approach them, which is the opposite of Silkie’s peaceful and meek nature.
Related Article: Are Holstein Cows Good Mothers?
Factors Affecting Mothering Skills
Brooding behavior in Silkie has complex features, as it results from two basic factors: heredity and environment.
As for heredity, there are certain genes that control brooding behavior in chickens. With regard to the environment, incubation behavior results from the interaction between the hormonal system and the bird’s environment. Incubation behavior is associated with increased prolactin secretion, decreased lutein secretion, and halted egg production.
In addition, There are environmental factors that stimulate brooding behavior such as high temperature and the presence of eggs and nests.
FAQS
Are Silkies Good With Children?
Yes, they are wonderful birds with children, as they are characterized by a calm, docile nature. They are also very playful and friendly, so they will entertain your children and play with them.
Are Silkies Good Layers?
No, unfortunately, they are not good layers. Where Silkie hen lays only about 2 to 3 eggs per week, at a rate of about 100 to 120 eggs per year.
