First chick has hatched - Silkie (I forgot to wash my hands)

[Rosy Starling]

Is this about the one that you had another thread about?
Usually it's best to wait, then wait some more - that's what I try to do. I don't hatch that often, so when in doubt - I wait and read this article, then re-read it LOL
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

Thank you for getting back to me. I trusted my judgement and decided to assist and felt confident I didn't compromise the situation. After an eggtopsy I found the chick was stuck with its head and neck laying ontop of its stomach facing down between its legs with a crossbill and blood clot. Somethings are just not to be. However, I have one lovely little hatching doing very well. I have read said wonderful article many times before hatch day just in case. Brilliant article!

 

[pammurphy132]

First Silkie baby look so cute and my heart swells to see her/him. She/he is very active and keeps pecking at the old bits of shell and the water well? It's very hot here and Im wondering when to move her into the brooder. Should I wait for the 2nd chick, or move her ? She has been hatched for 5 hours? I know they say they can be left in for 24 hours but its hard to see her bobbing about and tripping over the other egg?

Soooo cute!! I have a single Silkie in my flock because her partner passed because something got into my coop at nite. She was sitting in eggs under the ramp that goes into my coop and I didn't want to disturb her! My coop is fended but something small ate threw the fense & got her! My heart was broken! Now I have just one silkie and trying to incubate 2 of her eggs. Day 22 & still waiting! BTW last time i took a chic out before letting it fluff up I lost it! Now i let them stumble around till their feathers are dry! Nerve racking but they need to be dry and warm! Just my opinion

 

[Rosy Starling]

Soooo cute!! I have a single Silkie in my flock because her partner passed because something got into my coop at nite. She was sitting in eggs under the ramp that goes into my coop and I didn't want to disturb her! My coop is fended but something small ate threw the fense & got her! My heart was broken! Now I have just one silkie and trying to incubate 2 of her eggs. Day 22 & still waiting! BTW last time i took a chic out before letting it fluff up I lost it! Now i let them stumble around till their feathers are dry! Nerve racking but they need to be dry and warm! Just my opinion

Oh I am so sorry you lost your Silkie. You can never check everything all the time. We have a very secure coop and hen house although I always think it could be even safer. I am just hatching 10 Splash Silkies as this moment. All but one has been successful. How did yours fair? Did they eventually Pip. So far I have not lost a chick that has hatched or been assisted in a hatch from putting them into the brooder a little earlier than 24 hours. I always wait till they are fluffy tho.

 

[pammurphy132]

Oh I am so sorry you lost your Silkie. You can never check everything all the time. We have a very secure coop and hen house although I always think it could be even safer. I am just hatching 10 Splash Silkies as this moment. All but one has been successful. How did yours fair? Did they eventually Pip. So far I have not lost a chick that has hatched or been assisted in a hatch from putting them into the brooder a little earlier than 24 hours. I always wait till they are fluffy tho.

None of the silkies hatched. Just one Bl

 

[pammurphy132]

None of the silkies hatched. Just one Blue egger. I ended up buying 6 chicks at tractor supply so the lovely chic would have company!