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You can see their vaulted skull especially right after they hatch and their feathers haven't fluffed up yet. It looks like a big bump on the top of their heads. It is actually their brain as the "vault" is an opening in the skull. The brain is only covered by skin and feathers. Some silkie...

Thank you. I noticed in this hatch they all had vulted skulls and have developed big fluffy crests. One of them reminds us of a previous chick we were calling "Big-Head" or "Jimmy Neutron" because his head feathers were just so big. The first "Big Head" didn't make it because it had some kind...

I've never been able to sex them before 4 months old. The boys will be growing streamers in their hackles and the back of their crest by this time. The boys will also develop wattles and combs earlier (with red appearing in those areas). I've always bought good quality silkies from breeders...

They are very cute. Are those BCM? Are they a breed you can autosex at hatch? I remember hearing that BR cockerels have a spot on their head like the Legbars. Fortunately my Rocky-girl didn't have a spot! And, then other breeds go by color or wings...I'll have to wait at least 4 months...

Here are my 4 chicks that successfully hatched... They look so much alike that I haven't named them yet. Here is a group shot of the cuties!

Congratulations on your babies.....or should I say "early birdies"! No, you don't want to open the incubator -especially if you have pips. That is how they get shrink wrapped when colder air/less humidity gets on the membrane. Chances are the hatched ones would just bump into them again...

That's a very good sign when they pip! 2 of mine pipped a day early but actually hatched on hatch day. Remember I had 1 more that I was worried about? Well, it JUST finished zipping and kicking its way out of the shell. I am beyond thrilled that they all hatched by themselves! All 4 of...

buckskinluvr - Good planning. Just another update on my hatch: 3 babies are out and 1 more to go. The last egg is the one that pipped at the lower end instead of near the aircell. I decided not to help until tomorrow and the other 3 are completely dry and ready for the brooder. I sure hope...

Awesome! I hope all 40 silkies hatch for you. You are going to need one big brooder!

I'm far from patient-LOL! I'm a mess, actually. One of the chicks pipped in the wrong place (about the middle) and the egg cracked down toward the bottom. The last time a chick did this it struggled to zip upside down. I helped it out, but it was very weak and didn't make it. I'm really...

Today is HATCHDAY!!! All 4 of the eggs had pips early this morning (4:30am) when I checked. The first one hatched at 7:30 and is taking a much needed nap and occasionally chirping to it's siblings to hurry up. The other 3 pips haven't started zipping yet. I will update as the hatch...

The wait is the worst! My eggs are on Day 20 and the suspense is nearly driving me crazy! I know it's still early, but I haven't heard any peeping and don't have any pips yet. Tomorrow is Hatch-day!!!!!!!!!!! I hope all 4 chicks hatch strong and healthy. Maybe something will happen by...

Shipped eggs are a challenge. I've tried hatching twice this year with eggs all the way from Georgia. The first time I got 4 chicks out of 16 eggs and the second time I got 5 chicks out of 30 eggs. If you get anything at least it is't a total waste. They say 1/2 is actually good for shipped...

Being able to feed the chickens "eggs" is one of the reasons I take out the duds early. They love it and I don't have to worry about them rotting and contaminating the other developing chicks. I have always cooked eggs first, especially if they were in the incubator or eggs that I don't know...

I candled again this morning... The 2 that I thought were clear were still clear. So, I cooked them for breakfast (FOR THE CHICKENS). They love scrambled eggs with garlic, corn and any leftovers I have! The other 4 eggs have bouncing, little embryos inside and I'm so excited for them to...

I don't see how you can wait so long! I've never invested in a candler either. The eggs I've incubated have all been ivory to brown, though. Another idea for a homemade one is putting a bright light inside a box...I use flourescent bulb so it doesn't produce as much heat but still gives a...

I candled again tonight! There was definite veins in 4 of the 6 eggs. The other 2 still look clear, but I will keep them in until Day 10 when I candle again.

It was really too early. I did see something in 4 of the 6 eggs but not the big "red spider veins" like I was hoping. The other 2 were possibly clear, but I've had clears end up with embryos I couldn't see. Knowing me -I will probably candle again tonight or when it's still dark tomorrow...

So, has anyone else candled yet? I choose my layer flock as much for their egg color as for their appearance. I want a colorful basket of eggs by this spring; beige, brown, rust, blue and eventually olive. I am very happy with Ginger's rust eggs...they keep getting prettier and deeper rust...

Oooooh, keep us posted on how it works out.