not enough eggs

joshua burns · **Joined:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:35 pm **Posts:** 13

Hello I have 4 silky hens that are 14 months old and all are related. The problem is they only lay egg twice a week I have been on 2 weeks holiday and have spend many hours watching them and all the hens go in the drum and lay an egg but not every day or even every second day. I feed them layer pellets and lots of green waste so I think they are getting enough food to produce eggs. I don't have a rooster at this point so I am wondering if that might be the problem, do I need a rooster to get more eggs. They all get on really well they don't fight at all and our dogs don't show any interest in the chooks so they are not disturbing them. Is there something I am doing wrong?

Thanks for reading
Joshua

MariaCreeksPoultry · **Posted:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:13 pm

Maybe someone else who keeps silkes could answer this better, but it could be the breed. I don't think silkies are known for being great layers, they are more ornamental birds. If you want lots of eggs you may get a few hens from a laying breed.

greenaus · **Posted:** Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:55 am

50-120 per year according to the first site I found just now. So, I think MCP might be on the right path with that.

Raf · **Posted:** Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:38 am

I agree they are not high volume layers but and ripper broodies. No you don't need a rooster for more eggs but you will need one for fertile eggs

Raf

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

I've had Silkies for what seems forever =

yep 50-120 eggs a year is abt right some will lay each 36-48 hours some every 4th or 5th day = just depends on the bird
but there are exceptions =
I have one girl that lays 200ish another that lays 20 if I am lucky
as they are from original bloodlines I accept what they lay [or dont]

having a rooster with them will make no difference as it is their body that decides when an egg will be produced

allora_pekins · **Joined:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:11 am **Posts:** 20

You’re not wrong soozorps I picked up a few hens for broodiness and found such a difference in their laying all of them are different laying on different days and times

SG1 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:24 pm

Silkies are well known for their broody properties so most people assume they also lay well I was one of them until I brought them from auction and quickly realize they only lay a couple of times a week or at least mine do.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

just adding to previous post = the last 2 prompted memories [am getting old :roll:

]
a black Silkie loaned to me most generously by a friend =
laid 3 eggs went broody and refused to come off the rock or hardened poop so gave her eggs - at 3 days old the chicks were taken away = she started to lay again = 3 eggs and went broody adfinitum - this did not change for the whole time I had her here - so needless to say she has gone home with a new name =
Three Eggs

slightly off subject but still showing how Silkies lay [or not]

joshua burns · **Joined:** Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:35 pm **Posts:** 13

Thanks a lot everyone I am wraped at all the replies. I really don't mind too much as I love the look of the silkies and really just want to breed some of my own. I will get a rooster soon so I can make more babies

tugs · **Posted:** Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:02 am

Silkies specialise in brooding, its what they do best not in the number of eggs laid. A big portion of people that have silkies have them for their brooding abilities and they do make the best broodies and mothers in most cases

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