California - Northern

[Miss Molly]

Got my first egg from my blue Silkie hen that won res. Featherleg at the fair! *Happy dance, happy dance* She was singin the egg song at 7:00am this morning! Seemed like she enjoyed every note.

WOW very exciting... Can't wait to see how her chicks come out... Happy dance for sure,.,

 

[SilkiesForEver]

WOW very exciting... Can't wait to see how her chicks come out... Happy dance for sure,.,

I really want to breed her to a white Silkie, but can't do that right now. I have too many cockerels as it!

 

[Miss Molly]

 I love the egg color the way it is now, but not sure I want to build another breeding pen.

 I am almost tempted to breed the X's instead of the purebred CL.  I really do like the cross.  The pullets I've grown out are really smart,  friendly and great foragers.  Ohhhhh I wish I had more pens.   What to do???  I guess I have a couple of months to decide since my X roo is still so young.  I think I will put my two girls in with my CL for the next couple of months,  hatch some chicks and then decide.     

I wouldn't mind hatching some of those eggs. The egg color was beautiful and the chicks are adorable. Today I did some coop swapping. I added two blue & two splash Marans Hens in with a blue isbar rooster ... Im excited to see what the chicks and eggs turn out like..

 

[CALI CHICK]

Thanks for the reply man o man this whole thing is addictive from reading and planning the incubator to getting eggs to setting it up and now the waiting game haha how do some of you do it wait 21 days seems like a long time

May I quote Ronott in saying, "Your life will never be the same!"

I love seeing life form inside of the eggs, especially now that I can hatch from my own chickens. It's an awesome experience and worth the wait. I honestly don't do "patience" good, but having a faithful incubator helps.

 

[Miss Molly]

Once eggs are set how many times do you candle them ? At 7 days then at 14 days ? Or every 4 days? Any help id appreciate it
Thanks

You don't have to candle at all. You only candle to see if they are fertile. Sometime I only candle at lock down...

 

[Miss Molly]

Thanks for the reply man o man this whole thing is addictive from reading and planning the incubator to getting eggs to setting it up and now the waiting game haha how do some of you do it wait 21 days seems like a long time

I have two gqf sportsman's and a gqf hatchery. I hatch every 7 days...at least ...YIKES! I have no patience

 

[Miss Molly]

WOW, what a day. I worked outside all day with the Chickens... I am happy to say I now have the Chocolate Orpington and the Bresse in breeding coops.
I'm so excited ...I can't wait to start hatching them

I candled the pure isbars and Norwegian jaerhon eggs today and they are both fertile..Happy Dance!

 

[SilkiesForEver]

WOW, what a day. I worked outside all day with the Chickens... I am happy to say I now have the Chocolate Orpington and the Bresse in breeding coops.
I'm so excited ...I can't wait to start hatching them

I candled the pure isbars and Norwegian jaerhon eggs today and they are both fertile..Happy Dance!

Did you get your Bresse's from GreenFireFarms?

 

[Miss Molly]

I believe they came from greenfirefarm ...I got them in trade. I only have one breeding pair. They are big and beautiful. They are bright white with beautiful blue legs. I named them Hansel and Gretel.... They are so sweet

 

[ChickNmamma]

I candle mine 2 or 3 times. The first time between Day 4-7 to look for development. Then I re-check the ones that I wasn't sure of around Day 10 and remove any clear ones. Then I candle a last time before Lockdown to make sure the chick has continued to develop. Sometimes I mark the aircells with a pencil while I'm candling to make sure the aircell is getting bigger. And, this helps me to know about where to expect the pips.

The only thing to keep in mind is that every time you candle an egg -you run the risk of dropping or cracking it.

I hate to admit that I've done it myself. I tried to turn it into a learning experience by studying the tiny embryo with my son.....but I felt SO terrible.

Oh, I might as well mention this on this post:
All 4 of my silkies have hatched!!!

The last one just out about 15 minutes ago!

I need to set up the brooder. I can't wait to post pictures.

Oooh, Yes Please - Pictures! I

baby chick pics!

If anybody here happens to have or get a Partridge Silky Roo that they don't want to keep.. I have two blue Silky girls here who would love a Roofriend, and I love the colors on blue partridge Silkies..