Anyone else a new grandparent today ?

[amandamoore1394]

I am always so excited when my first chick of the batch hatches, no matter how many times I hatch. I've been raising Silkies for several years and it seems my hatch rate gets lower and lower. Anyone else experiencing this issue, with this breed? I even started incubating this spring in hopes things would be better, still no luck. Not sure of what else to do. The moma hens always have a private nursery with a run, probiotic electrolytes when its hot. Nevertheless the ones that do hatch make it even more worth it.

 

[Skyle]

Is maybe the consanguinity too high? It can lead to poor fertility/dead chicks in shell

 

[amandamoore1394]

I dont believe so, as I started fresh last spring with a new Rooster. The hens are related, but the Rooster I purchased from a different breeder.

 

[Skyle]

I'm sorry then, I can't answer your question. Hope someone has the right answer