Silkie thread!

[AlleysChicks]

Ok, I had not planned on attempting any hatches but with losing Yeti last week and having a pullet laying everyday, and I know Yeti was breeding her. I have decided I have to at least try. I am going to borrow a friends incubator (I know nothing about the incubator yet). I have eggs that I have been collecting since 11/1, I have dated them and put them in a bowl on my countertop in the kitchen. I am going to pick up the bator today sanitize it and set it up, make sure I get everything calibrated and plan to put the eggs in on Friday morning. Can anyone point me to a one stop explanation site or thread. I did read the article on incubating here but it is very hard to follow with all the links. I have figured out the basics like temp, humidity and lockdown. Still confused on what position do the eggs go in and how to turn the eggs(hoping the bator has an turner)? And as always any helpful tips from your experience with hatching.

If in a turner the eggs need to be pointy end down. If no turner then they can lay on their side. When I didn’t have a turner I marked the eggs with a x and o. They need turned at least 3x a day.

TIPS!

#1.) Small eggs lose weight faster than large eggs. So keep an eye on the air cells by candling and adjust humidity based on what you see. (I don’t add water with my large eggs but did with my bantam eggs)

#2.) Mark the air cells when you candle! That way you can see progress of air cells every time you candle.

#3.) Make sure to toss infertile and dead eggs. Don’t want a stinky explosion later.

 

[Hinotori]

If you have no turner and there is room in the incubator, the bottom of an egg carton works well to hold the eggs. Put something in to tilt the carton to the correct angle and just switch ends that are raised to turn them.

I'm pretty lazy since I have a Brinsea with turner and humidity pump. They are pretty much set and forget. So I can't for the life of me remember the angle and how often to turn the eggs.

I do know some people hatch in the carton as well with good results. I lay eggs flat in the bator when I turn off the turner.

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

Here's my new bee-bee! S/he's 4 weeks old. I've named her Divine.

 

[Hinotori]

Just was out making sure no water was pooling on the half damaged roof of the bachelor pen. 7 teens and 4 adults in there.

It's like wading through pillows. They rush up to see me. I know a good part of that is them hoping for a treat, but they actually like being petted as long as I dont pick them up. There are a few who like being held as well. Then there is my stalker who would like nothing more than my constant attention.

Hubby doesn't interact with the chickens much so they are a little wary of him. Even he can just walk up and pick up some of these guys.

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

Just was out making sure no water was pooling on the half damaged roof of the bachelor pen. 7 teens and 4 adults in there.

It's like wading through pillows. They rush up to see me. I know a good part of that is them hoping for a treat, but they actually like being petted as long as I dont pick them up. There are a few who like being held as well. Then there is my stalker who would like nothing more than my constant attention.

Hubby doesn't interact with the chickens much so they are a little wary of him. Even he can just walk up and pick up some of these guys.

I pick mine up and pet them in my lap for a while every day. They settle down and enjoy being stroked and having dead feather sheaths picked out of their crests. Sometimes they climb onto my hand to keep their tootsies warm there. They still squawk a bit when I pick them up. When I first got them they'd run when they saw me coming, and flap and squawk like crazy when I picked them up.

 

[sshrader]

What color will this little silkie be?

 

[Silkie Pet Lady]

There is a contest on which is the better breed between Silkies and Cochins. Go to this thread and help the Silkies win!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-breed-contest-round-2.1207022/

 

[sue25]

Here's my new bee-bee! S/he's 4 weeks old. I've named her Divine.
View attachment 1182105 View attachment 1182107

Bee is very pretty.

 

[FishMtFarm]

What color will this little silkie be?
View attachment 1182303 View attachment 1182305 View attachment 1182306

Your babies will be partridge

 

[FishMtFarm]

There is a contest on which is the better breed between Silkies and Cochins. Go to this thread and help the Silkies win!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/best-breed-contest-round-2.1207022/

I voted, other people need to vote too!!