Hi from the Netherlands!

[Silkiesally]

Hey all!!
I’m very new to chickens
So I can’t post about my flock but I can post about myself I’m from the Netherlands so please do excuse my English. I’m a mother of 2 small children and I am a children’s book illustrator, it’s to most amazing job but.. it does get lonely! because my little parrot died a couple of months ago I was so ready for feathered friends again as I’m working from home and decided that I wanted to keep chickens. I’ve bought an incubator and wanted to hatch my own little silkies (I’m really not doing it for the eggs but for the company ).
I’ve had a failed batch and an (almost failed) batch of chickens so I could really use the guidance!!
I did post a thread about my last “surviving” egg with not much hope.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/late-quitter-day-18-help.1683240/

I could really use your help!! I already learned so much and been stalking the byc community everyday!


Thanks again!!!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC!
What sort of incubator are you using?
Temperature & humidity readings?

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! My mom and my sister were both commercial artists! I hope you have better luck on your hatches!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya Sally, and welcome to BYC!

Provided those were viable eggs, this is the incubator's fault.

You may need to get a separate hygrometer/thermometer to check the settings as usually most are not correct. Many of us buy the Govee brand ones on Amazon, but there are others. Just be sure it's reputable.

The settings should be:
99.5°F / 37.5 °C throughout the 21 days.
Humidity 40-50% until lockdown (3-5) days for silkies, prior to hatch date.
Humidity at lockdown: 70%

Humidity isn't as important as temperature. Humidity can temporarily vary by +/- 20/30%, but the temp should stay within 1/2 a degree.

We're glad you're here!

 

[muddy75]

 

[fldiver97]

Sorry you lost your feathered buddy! I hope with some help from members experienced in hatching you’ll successfully hatch some chicks!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Sally, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Silkiesally]

Hi! Thank you all for the warm welcome! I’m using a very cheap hgg (?) incubator and i was too excited with candling as well I think.. so a lot of fluctuation in temperatures… it’s something I’m not going to do as much next time.. I’ve bought a two separate hygrometers and salt calibrated them. The temp is a bit wonky and I had to make another air vent in the incubator. So I use a digital and an analog thermometer as well as a meat thermometer (I know I’m a bit much ) anyway!!! I’ve been trying to get a Brinsea from marketplace.. I hear they are reliable. But until then I will be using the hgg.
I’m super excited to be part of this forum!!

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC!