Jan. Hatch A Long?

[chicken junky]

Yeah me neither because my one hatched and more are pipping right now. Sucks!

 

[Cynthia12]

None of the buff silkies made it

they were doing great at lock down and I opened them up after candling and none had internal pips what the heck? Anyone know what may have happened so I can learn and try to do better.

I tell people this, and it just kills a lot of folks, but I usually open my slikie eggs on day 20 myself. Too many lost just waiting on them to do this for themselves. I've assisted many, and have had great luck. Especially if I have had a couple hatch, and the others aren't doing anything...or....if nothing is happening in the middle of day 20..no pips, nothing, then I open them. I know I wouldn't have the hatch rate I do with Silkies and Show Girls if I hadn't done this..for years now.






I'm not bragging, really I'm not..I just feel for those that wait, and then nothing. I really don't know why they have such a hard time hatching on their own. There have been a few that have hatched on their own, but very few are pipping by day 20..so that's when I help. Same with Seramas.

 

[chicken junky]

Thanks that is a thought I am at day 21 right about now and one pipped and making lots of noise but others quiet maybe one tapping hard to tell if it is one already pipped or different one. Not sure what to do at this point, very sad for my little dunn frizzle serama crying in other room because she's alone gonna spend some time with her maybe she will get these other guys going. Do you think I should candle and open in morning??? By the way I love your babies

 

[JDchicks]

I tell people this, and it just kills a lot of folks, but I usually open my slikie eggs on day 20 myself. Too many lost just waiting on them to do this for themselves. I've assisted many, and have had great luck. Especially if I have had a couple hatch, and the others aren't doing anything...or....if nothing is happening in the middle of day 20..no pips, nothing, then I open them. I know I wouldn't have the hatch rate I do with Silkies and Show Girls if I hadn't done this..for years now.


I'm not bragging, really I'm not..I just feel for those that wait, and then nothing. I really don't know why they have such a hard time hatching on their own. There have been a few that have hatched on their own, but very few are pipping by day 20..so that's when I help. Same with Seramas.

I'm with you. I definitely would have lost a few if I waited it out.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I tell people this, and it just kills a lot of folks, but I usually open my slikie eggs on day 20 myself. Too many lost just waiting on them to do this for themselves. I've assisted many, and have had great luck. Especially if I have had a couple hatch, and the others aren't doing anything...or....if nothing is happening in the middle of day 20..no pips, nothing, then I open them. I know I wouldn't have the hatch rate I do with Silkies and Show Girls if I hadn't done this..for years now.

I'm not bragging, really I'm not..I just feel for those that wait, and then nothing. I really don't know why they have such a hard time hatching on their own. There have been a few that have hatched on their own, but very few are pipping by day 20..so that's when I help. Same with Seramas.

I'm with you. I definitely would have lost a few if I waited it out.

This question is for those that have hatched a lot of silkies and end up helping - especially those that have had a closed flock and had your own line for a while.

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck because I really don't know much about silkies, (never had them and certainly haven't hatched them).

Do you think it's possible that helping so many which may not have hatched on their own is, in effect, selecting/breeding for lines prone to hatching problems?
Or is it possible that some people are anticipating problems and help too early?
As I said, I don't know about them but I'd never consider helping an egg before day 22 or 23 and usually never.
I usually don't watch a broody so I don't know if a hen ever helps.
I do know that hatcheries never help.

 

[chicken junky]

Well I'm undecided on the helping part although I have to say my twin daughters were preemies and needed lots of help and would have died without and now are beautiful 14 yr old young women. I know we are talking chickens but sometimes a little help is needed. Anyway here is what I get for waiting. Maybe this could be next caption contest. One more any minute. As for helping I have to say on flipside it is not always for the best so as long as we are doing what we feel is right. This chick actually fell back into the egg but I didn't get the pic in time. I forgot they have dark skin and I gotta count toes. Fluffy pics later

 

[chicken junky]

I can't get pic on will try in a bit there are 3 fuzzybutts

 

[JDchicks]

This question is for those that have hatched a lot of silkies and end up helping - especially those that have had a closed flock and had your own line for a while.

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck because I really don't know much about silkies, (never had them and certainly haven't hatched them).

Do you think it's possible that helping so many which may not have hatched on their own is, in effect, selecting/breeding for lines prone to hatching problems?
Or is it possible that some people are anticipating problems and help too early?
As I said, I don't know about them but I'd never consider helping an egg before day 22 or 23 and usually never.
I usually don't watch a broody so I don't know if a hen ever helps.
I do know that hatcheries never help.

Unfortunately, I don't think there are any correct answers. There is a vast difference in people's opinions, hatching experience, incubating methods and so forth. This has been a long debated topic on BYC, whether assisting/helping is right or wrong. Incubating conditions do not match a broody's. So who's to say that if the hen hatched them, they would have all pipped,zipped and hatched. There are just too may variables to consider. Whether someone helps their eggs on day 20 or day 25, I will still support them when they need help, a shoulder to lean on, or cheering/pep squad.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm sure that plays a part in hatcheries not even considering helping them. They know their conditions are as optimal as technology allows.
Not to mention it is too labor intensive - one of the reasons I don't help as a rule.

 

[farmhand]

Do you think it's possible that helping so many which may not have hatched on their own is, in effect, selecting/breeding for lines prone to hatching problems?

My two cents; if you end up using these birds in a breeding program, either by choice or default, you are indeed lowing the standard of your flock. To use them as pets, egg layers or meat, why not.