Broody Birds
In the Brooder
- Oct 3, 2022
- 9
- 4
- 11
My silkie sat on 5 eggs from a mixed flock for 23 days. I candled all of them and most seemed viable except 1. I then cautiously opened the one that I didn’t think was viable to find a dead developed chick with the yolk sac still attached. I then opened another one the next day (day 24) which had no signs of life but was still breathing but had not absorbed its yolk. So I then waited another couple of days at which time I gave my silkie 4 x day old chicks as I really didn’t think the eggs would hatch. Day 26 one egg hatched but was rejected by my silkie and was very cold and week. I then put that chick in my incubator along with the remaining 2 eggs. Another chick hatched later that night on day 26 and the last one hatched day 27. There is no way I have my dates wrong as they were put under my silkie at the same time. Although all 3 are walking they still seem quite weak and not really wanting to eat or drink. I can give them drips of water which they like. First chicks were born on Saturday and third was born yesterday. It is now Monday. Just wanted to know has anyone ever experienced late hatching chicks then the chicks acting quite premature.