Silkie lockdown day 17/ opened brooder question

[tjmb1414]

Hi all,
First time incubating and it’s day 19. I lockdowned day 17 as I was told silkies hatch early.
On day 18 I opened incubator for a few seconds to add a sponge. I increased humidity with warm water before I opened the incubator. Are they ok? No pipping yet…. I read silkies hatch early. I’m worried I shrink wrapped them. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you, Tracey

 

[Yardmom]

I have had silkies go 21 days in an incubator. I had a silkie hen set on fresh eggs and hatch chicks 4 days apart. As long as your temp and humidity are good just wait patiently.

 

[tjmb1414]

I have had silkies go 21 days in an incubator. I had a silkie hen set on fresh eggs and hatch chicks 4 days apart. As long as your temp and humidity are good just wait patiently.

Thank you! So you think adding the sponge didn’t hurt them?

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

For future, I think you could let the silkies go the entire 21 days. I haven't heard much about the difference between early hatching and the regular but, you do what you think is best. Have fun!

 

[tjmb1414]

For future, I think you could let the silkies go the entire 21 days. I haven't heard much about the difference between early hatching and the regular but, you do what you think is best. Have fun!

Hi, Thanks for the advice! So in the future, should I start lockdown at day 18 or 19? Do you think opening the incubator to put the sponge in shrink wrapped them? No pipping

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

I do lockdown on day 19. I'm not sure about the sponge because my incubator I just use water to regulate humidity. Sorry. Have you candled these yet?

 

[tjmb1414]

I do lockdown on day 19. I'm not sure about the sponge because my incubator I just use water to regulate humidity. Sorry. Have you candled these yet?

No worries! I did candle them before lockdown- they appeared viable