Heartbroken and Excited

[beameuplord]

Last Weds. my silkie had been setting for three weeks. Finally I took the eggs Sat. I started to order some more chicks but just a few are too expensive. when I was breaking the eggs to see if they were fertile, I was shocked that one had a live chick. I felt sick to my stomach. I had murdered the only chick she had. But I had one egg left that I had not broken and I put it back under just in case. Today it hatched!!!!!! ONe beautiful little silkie chick. I am so glad I saved one. I hate I killed the other one. But it took 28 days. I don't understand. Why does it take longer than three weeks for my hen to hatch her eggs?

Tj

 

[Southern28Chick]

Maybe the eggs were laid later then you thought.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

I'm so sorry.
If you'd candled the eggs, you could have seen the viable embryo / chick and saved yourself the trauma.

Good luck with the chick,

Lisa

 

[beameuplord]

Hi southern chick,

My hen started setting on five eggs on July 11. Unless she culled some of them and laid others she had the same five eggs. I am about ready to call it quits at chicken farming. the one little chick she hatched has something wrong with its legs. they are stretched out to the side. I told a friend who also raises chicks and I think she called it "splay" leg? I don't know what to do with it. It can't stand. It just sits and sometimes wobbles a step or two with it little legs out to each side. I gave it a shot of poultry vitamins and said a prayer. Any suggestions?

TJ

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
I think you're supposed to put a band around it's legs to correct this. Maybe a twisty tie will do. Post that under emergencies so others can see it and help better.

The chicks get this from standing on slick surfaces such as newspaper in their brooder.

Don't give up!