Dolly has been sitting on eggs for 3days.  She seems to be a great broody hen!  As of this morning, she has a total of 5.  Today will be my last opportunity to place anymore eggs underneath her.  You see, the mother hen will sit on the nest for 2-3 days after her first chick hatches.  This is to see if any other eggs in the clutch will hatch.  However, after about 3 days, she will abandon any unhatched eggs and begin to raise her brood. 

I have been collecting Silkie eggs from the nesting boxes to place under Dolly.  If they are still warm when I pick them up, I quickly number them with a pencil and place them under Dolly.  She seems so pleased when I add another to her growing collection!

I am also amazed at her instinct.  Yesterday, while peeking through the window, I witnessed her turning the eggs.  With the most amazing grace and gentle touch, she inspected each egg and rolled it according to her liking.  Wow!  How in the world did she know how to do that? 

She seems to leave the nest a couple of times a day, but it is only for fleeting moments at a time.  I have placed fresh water with vitamins and electrolytes near her as well as food.  In a few days, I will attempt to candle the eggs to insure viability.  I have never done that, so it will require some research.  I too am learning all about this fascinating process.  If all goes according to plan, we might just have some chicks in time for Easter.  The whole family is rooting for Team Dolly!