Well, they say (who ever They are) that Silkies often go broody and make great mamas. So far, They are right. Both my silkie ladies are broody. Snowflake started sitting on eggs this past Sunday, and Sparkle started sitting a few days ago. So, Toby, sweet construction man that he is, made a broody box for the ladies. He constructed it so that two chickens can use it at the same time, without getting into each others business. I’ve heard that once the chicks hatch, the mamas can get violently defensive. So, we didn’t want to risk that by having them sit in the same area.

Each ‘pen’ is 3′ by 18 inches, making a 3’x3′ box. They have an area for sitting and a space to eat and stretch their legs a bit. The top is hinged so that we can get in and out without too much interruption to the ladies.

Here’s my hotty husband getting started with the box.

Putting the box into place, just outside of the main coop.

Looking into one of the ‘pens’

We moved them in tonight, once it got dark (it seems to bother them less if you move their nests at night.) Snowflake (sitting on 7 eggs) settled right back down and Sparkle (sitting on 8 eggs) went to check out the grub.

Hopefully, in early May, we will have some babies.