Premies

[shinyrust01]

I bought a dozen fertilized silkie eggs from ebay, put them in the incubator the day they arrived ( I know in the future to wait a day) took them off the rails sunday, they are due tomorrow, tuesday, however, I was up at 2am this morning, and low and behold one chick was well on the way to unzipping and another had had pipped. I have since removed them from the incubator and placed in a brooder. 10 eggs are still in the incubator. has anyone else ever had chicks to hatch early, despite being put in the incubator at the same time?

Thanks,
Tammie

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Not called preemies. They can hatch early (or late) and still be perfectly fine. Sometimes if your temp is a tad too high, it speeds up the incubation process (so I've read) and sometimes it cooks them. You got lucky so congrats!

We had one hatch on day 19, if I remember correctly, but I've heard of some hatching on day 17 and 18.

I seem to also recall hearing that silkies often hatch a bit early. Someone more experienced will chime in here.

 

[shinyrust01]

thanks for the info.....those 2 are chirping and seem to be doing fine in the brooder, i'm just ready for the others to hatch, lol like a kid on christmas morning. i have 41 texas a&m quail due to hatch thursday along with 9 black copper marans. can't wait!

 

[minihorse927]

Silkies are notorious early hatchers. If I haven't got any hatching on day 20 I know my temps were to low! As long as the yolk is absorbed, they will be fine.

 

[shinyrust01]

One more baby hatched last night by 10pm, so far this morning no more pips, i'm hoping the remaining eggs start pipping soon. The babies are so cute, 2 black/gray and one white/ yellow.

 

[birds4me]

I agree with the silkies hatching early. I have set mine with regular layer eggs and the silkies will hatch a whole 1-2 days ahead of the layer eggs. I had quail eggs hatch 4 days early. If they are ready, they are ready! Enjoy your new peeps!

 

[Dixon Farm]

I had 3 silkies hatch around the 20th day and sadly they died! One died before he could finish hatching his shell and the other 2 I had to help hatch..both died the next day and I was crushed!!