Silkie Hatch-A-Long

[Debs55]

Let them get to be about equal size before you introduce them and do it at night

Gonna set more silkie eggs tomorrow or the next day!

 

[aharrington]

I set some silkie eggs on Feb 9. Along with some Cochin, rhodebar, BLRW and some mixes. This is my first setting ever. Some shipped and some local. Since my first attempt I wanted a full incubator.

The shipped eggs are doing as well as the local. I have candled and removed 9 as not even fertile. I have several that I can't tell and am leaving them alone until day 18. Everything else I can see moving.

I am really excited. Glad to find a hatch a long. I hope I just have some success.

 

[Debs55]

I set some silkie eggs on Feb 9. Along with some Cochin, rhodebar, BLRW and some mixes. This is my first setting ever. Some shipped and some local. Since my first attempt I wanted a full incubator.

The shipped eggs are doing as well as the local. I have candled and removed 9 as not even fertile. I have several that I can't tell and am leaving them alone until day 18. Everything else I can see moving.

I am really excited. Glad to find a hatch a long. I hope I just have some success.

Good luck with your hatch!!

 

[KV Silkies]

I have introduced new chicks to others already outside... I've read things like let them see each other in between pens and then place them in the pen at roost time when everyone is already settled down and quiet for the night. Put them together when they have plenty of room so the little ones can get away if needed...
I let mine out when I am home to roam the yard and then at night they put themselves to bed... if after you let them see each other through a wire... then you can let them out at the same time to roam... I haven't had no problems...
I did bring a grown male rooster in and the hens did not like him and they fought... I still have not introduced him to them for breeding but they roam around freely fine. It's taken weeks to get them to just walk around without fighting... next I plan on putting him in the cage at bedtime... he is my only rooster and I need them to get to become excellent friends!

thanks for the info!!

I can see how you'd want your girls to have your rooster as their bff, lol. good luck!!! I think I will order more eggs next weekend..... eggciting!!!

hello, my name is Val and I'm a "hatchaholic".......

 

[KV Silkies]

Let them get to be about equal size before you introduce them and do it at night

Gonna set more silkie eggs tomorrow or the next day!

thank you!! good luck on your egg setting!!!

 

[KV Silkies]

I set some silkie eggs on Feb 9. Along with some Cochin, rhodebar, BLRW and some mixes. This is my first setting ever. Some shipped and some local. Since my first attempt I wanted a full incubator.

The shipped eggs are doing as well as the local. I have candled and removed 9 as not even fertile. I have several that I can't tell and am leaving them alone until day 18. Everything else I can see moving.

I am really excited. Glad to find a hatch a long. I hope I just have some success.

good luck!! can't wait to hear how it goes.

 

[Debs55]

So I have one broody on day 8 and I'm gonna put 4-6 eggs under another one today. I have another broody who can't decide if she really wants to sit on eggs or not, but I'm pretty sure she was the one who was busting eggs

 

[KV Silkies]

So I have one broody on day 8 and I'm gonna put 4-6 eggs under another one today. I have another broody who can't decide if she really wants to sit on eggs or not, but I'm pretty sure she was the one who was busting eggs

good luck with the broodies!!

 

[Debs55]

Thank you! I've never had this many at one time..or an egg busting problem. I don't know what has gotten into them

 

[1 Critter Camp]

thanks for the info!!

I can see how you'd want your girls to have your rooster as their bff, lol. good luck!!! I think I will order more eggs next weekend..... eggciting!!!

hello, my name is Val and I'm a "hatchaholic".......

KV skilkies
Well, this hatch has been a challenge. I've had bad hatches before and learned from each one. To make a long story short, I helped the two that pipped on the wrong end and they made it. I am relieved and so happy. I really wanted a red silkie.
Here's pics.
This is the red silkie. It is having a little trouble standing but I am hopeful!



Here's the second malpositioned chick


At 3:00 AM, I began to worry about the chicks and shrink wrapping which I have had trouble before... so I decide to check on them, I grabbed one that was the closest and candled it. It was dead. I opened it and it was shrink wrapped. I had one pipped but was having trouble! All of them were shrink wrapped and dead except the ones that I helped. They would have been too if I had not taken the risk! It could've been bad but I had to try!

So I held each egg up to my hear and listened. If I heard chirping, I began the process of helping them, beginning with the air cell only and a little bit at a time. My goal at first was to just find the beak. I helped three sizzles!!! Although it was not perfectly, I really am excited and thankful! AND I will buy a new incubator. I totally blame my incubator because I followed all of the rules of hatching to the T! .... well until the end!