Silkie eggs hatching

[Splash silkie]

I have 4 silkie eggs hatching and I want to know what's is your earliest and latest silkie hatch (no assistance hatch)

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

We raise and breed silkies here. My earliest one was Day 18 and my latest one was Day 23.

I do five-day lockdowns just to be on the safe side. Turning that last week isn't so important as they're more mobile and won't stick to the shell.

Be sure to raise the humidity up to around 65-70% for lockdown as I know that helps them get through their tough shells.

 

[Splash silkie]

When is it okay to help them manually

 

[Splash silkie]

?

 

[Splash silkie]

What is the latest they can hatch I'm just scared they might die it's my only silkie eggs first time hatching silkies, and when should I help

 

[Yardmom]

You can not just go by days to determine if it is time to assist. An assist would only be after a yolk has been absorbed and when a chick is unable to make progress on its own.
What day are your eggs on? If you think assistance is needed read the guide to assisted hatching first.

 

[Splash silkie]

Day 13 but I just want to know also is it ok to make an hole if they have done a internal pip but hasnt progressed on zipping for a long time (24+)

 

[Yardmom]

Yes, if a chick has internally pipped for more than 24 hours you can make what is called a safety hole. Use it with caution because sometimes getting a chick more air will lessen its need to escape the shell. I would probably wait 48 hours or use it if the chick appears to get weak. (Don't check to often because the eggs need to stay in the higher humidity)

 

[Debbie292d]

Once they pip, I give them 24 hours to get out, and they do. I've only had to help on a couple of shipped ones as they were saddled and/or pipped at the wrong end. That's out of over 500 silkies I hatched this year.

Should you happen to have one taking longer than that, here's the guide for how to assist.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/

The trouble with assisting is those are the ones that we hear winding up being the weaker of the bunch, with splayed legs, or even wry neck.

 

[Splash silkie]

How much days do you give them to pip