Silkie egg due to hatch today

[kellym424]

I got an incubator for Christmas and wanted to do a trial run before spring to make sure I have it all figured out. Since my rooster is a silkie I decided it would be best to use my silkie eggs to try and hatch. I only put 1 egg in since I have several other chicks from a friend's incubator.

I candled on day 14 and it looked perfect! I'm very worried that it is not going to hatch since there has been no movement, no piping ... nothing. I know I shouldn't candle the egg. But I can't help but wonder if something went wrong between last week and now. I also know that it could take up to 24 days but seems like I've read a lot that silkies don't usually hatch late.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I can do to see if my chick is still ok?

 

[NNYchick]

Did you use a separate- calibrated thermometer and hydrometer to ensure your temperature and humidity were good. I never rely on the incubator readings as they are usually wrong and can’t be calibrated with ice /salt test. If you have one chick hatch do you have other newly hatched chicks to put it with. That is always my biggest fear with hatching in incubator that I’ll only have one.

 

[Cyprus]

You can try a float test

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Can anyone give me any advice on what I can do to see if my chick is still ok?

You can either leave it alone... as sometimes it is late day 21 before action starts.

Or if you are SURE you don't see any shadow or hint of a pip you can candle and see if you have an internal pip or not.

I personally think practicing patience is the best choice.

Good luck and happy hatching!

 

[kellym424]

Did you use a separate- calibrated thermometer and hydrometer to ensure your temperature and humidity were good. I never rely on the incubator readings as they are usually wrong and can’t be calibrated with ice /salt test. If you have one chick hatch do you have other newly hatched chicks to put it with. That is always my biggest fear with hatching in incubator that I’ll only have one.[/QUOTE


Yes I have a separate thermometer and hydrometer. I do have other chicks for this one to go with but since they are a few days older I might bring in Salvy - my silkie mama- to let her take care of her baby. Thank you for your help!

 

[kellym424]

You can either leave it alone... as sometimes it is late day 21 before action starts.

Or if you are SURE you don't see any shadow or hint of a pip you can candle and see if you have an internal pip or not.

I personally think practicing patience is the best choice.

Good luck and happy hatching!

I'm pretty sure I don't see anything happening on the outside. I'm trying my best to be patient. Thank you!

 

[kellym424]

You can try a float test

I'm worried about trying the float test. I have never done that and I'm not real sure if my chick hasn't made a tiny crack somewhere.

 

[Cyprus]

I'm worried about trying the float test. I have never done that and I'm not real sure if my chick hasn't made a tiny crack somewhere.

Candling will tell

 

[kellym424]

Candling will tell

I candled a week ago. I read that I shouldn't candle after day 18.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm pretty sure I don't see anything happening on the outside. I'm trying my best to be patient. Thank you!

Are you using a flashlight? Sometimes it help accentuate a shadow.

Also try chirping and listening. Once they pip internally they can make noise and we often hear this.

With only one it's a bigger challenge because they make clicks and other communications to say let's all hatch.

And so many things can happen in the last few days. It's always scary.

If you open the lid to candle... hang a towel around it draping over your arms and lid to help hold in the heat and moisture.