My rooster and hen have got to gether and the hen is now sitting on a clutch of eggs. How long will they take to hatch? Will I need to separate the rooster from the chicks when and if they do?

I'm a little concerned about whether the eggs will actually hatch because the hen is a splendid Rhode Island Red... and the fella is a scruffy looking silky.
hehe, my appologies to all those of you who like silkies :) I hope they do hatch, I'm going to have some rather funny looking chickens in the back yard.

Kate

Hi kate - it takes 21 days for chicken eggs to hatch. Whether or not you separate the rooster depends on his disposition, but we always do. It's best to let the hen concentrate on setting and brooding. The breeds of chicken parents doesn't matter - but you're right, you can get some really bizarre looking little guys. We have houdan hens that occassionally stray, and boy, their offspring are WEIRD looking! Good luck

So Kate, How did they turn out? I venture that they have black skin, feathered legs, 5 toes, small topknots, but have regular feathering. How close or far am I? What kind of combs resulted?