SilkieLover1969
In the Brooder
- Nov 7, 2019
- 13
- 10
- 17
I've incubated & hatched several breeds of chickens & have found the Silkies are the absolute hardest to get perfect. We have to remember they are almost half the size of a large or extra large egg so that means less humidity in the beginning. It's normal to fluctuate a few digits so up to 40% is acceptable. However, I have found by losing not only these but other breeds as well what was killing them everytime. The higher humidity. I'm referring solely to Silkies on this thread. Mine survive on lower humidity. 1st off you must have your incubator setting for 24 hours before you set them. Make sure you have a reputable accurate hydrometer & it's calibrated correctly! Very important.You will find the just about every incubator there is out there is off by several digits. Do not go by them. Always have an extra hydrometer on hand just in case the other quits or breaks. Cheap ones aren't worth losing your batches. You'll want to spend more for a better one. Using a forced air incubator is a must if you don't have a broody hen. I'm finding that 99°-100° is the best for hatching. To much humidity will drown them. I lost mine because the humidity was way to high in the end over 65%. Do not add water to every channel in the beginning. Only every other channel is acceptable & (no more than 1/4 cup in each channel in a 48 quantity incubator for instance to start out with). For me I start out at 30% then on day 10 when candling I increase by only adding a 1/4 cup in 2 more empty channels to bring it up to 50% then by day 17 no more than 60% add another 1/4 cup in the remaining channels. I only candle on day 10 then day 17. Then after lockdown never open it until all chicks are hatched. I'm finding if they haven't hatched by day 24 for my Silkies then they've perished unfortunately. So only opening the incubator to candle twice & same time to add water to channels is all you should do. Turning off automatic turner on day 17 is a must. U can remove turner or I just leave mine in there. If you choose to remove it then gently lay them all down in the bottom then leave them alone. They can remain for 24 hours in incubator after hatching. Any left should be candled & tossed if no movement is obvious. You can also google doing the float test on them on day 22. Be very careful though these babies are very delicate & the least tiny bit of humidity change or temperature change will kill them. Good luck with your new batch of Silkies. We absolutely enjoy them & look forward to our new hatches.
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