Silkie thread!

[TAMMACLEAN]

How do you get a partridge or a calico silkie?

 

[tilosi]

If you are sure your temperature is accurate 19 is very acceptable. Wet spunges will help raise humidity. The critical time for high humidity is when they start pipping.

Yes, temp is a pretty steady 99.5--not varying by .5 at any time. I put sponges, cups, washcloths---but, will try to do something more/different. Day 19 has been my last hatches--I have waited for internal pipping to lock down.

 

[Sanna]

Here are some of my Silkies babies I had hatched out 2 day's ago.

Oh my god what a picture!

 

[3ChickensinNC]

I try to get my lock down humidity around 70 - 75. I do occasionally help one. I also like cartons.

My first hatch is almost complete I have two drying and then two eggs to dispose of. Not sure how to do that to avoid smell and critters. Kinda of want to open them to show son so he can learn as well as me. Anyway tell me about using cartons. The eggs were getting bumped around like crazy and I was a little worried about those that still had a long way to go to hatch while those that did hatch played bumper cars with them. I am curious. I have eggs to be shipped next week after the holiday. Our second and last time for the year.

 

[littlecritters]

How do you get a partridge or a calico silkie?

There is a thread called Silkies of Another Color that may be able to help...https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/410559/silkies-of-a-different-color
There is also a thread for partridge silkies only. In addition, I believe that mama2my4 is getting into calicos. She posted a beautiful picture on this thread recently.

 

[tilosi]

My first hatch is almost complete I have two drying and then two eggs to dispose of. Not sure how to do that to avoid smell and critters. Kinda of want to open them to show son so he can learn as well as me. Anyway tell me about using cartons. The eggs were getting bumped around like crazy and I was a little worried about those that still had a long way to go to hatch while those that did hatch played bumper cars with them. I am curious. I have eggs to be shipped next week after the holiday. Our second and last time for the year.

these are the kind of cartons I use....slightly modified egg cartons

 

[Adoravachick]

Thank you, I'm having trouble getting over 70%....will really work to get there this time. Do you lock down on day 18 no matter what?

When hatching my silkies, I too had trouble getting my humidity up. Someone suggested to me that I put "SUPER PLUS" tampons soaked in water to get my humidity up and keep it there. I had 4 in the incubator in addition to the sponges in the incubator. I placed the tampons in the incubator in such a way to where I opened the vents quickly and used a dropper of water to rewet the tampons. I know, might be weird, but it truly worked. I was able to get my humidity to 79% and keep it there until the chicks hatched.

 

[1chicken fan]

I bought mine here: http://www.randallburkey.com/Pin-Less-Peepers-10-Pkg/productinfo/10096/

If you know who the feather picker is, take them out and separate them for a few days. I have large wire dog crates specifically for injured birds or ones that need to be separated for show. Leave the bird in that for about 3 days and see what happens with the others. Usually the dynamic will change. Just be sure that it's not too hot and you find a cool spot for your bird in "jail".


I will try this I was thinking about it anyway and then maybe introduce the younger silkies to the other girl, we will see if that changes things while she is gone.

 

[flower]

I read somewhere that when you do an eggtosy, put the specimen (the egg which might be nasty) into a plastic bag and then open it up. You will have a ready disposal unit. I have a certain spot in the freezer where I put nasties until it is trash/garbage collection time. I just need to remember to put all the frozen stuff out with the rest but by now it is a habit (almost).

 

[Adoravachick]

Im finally joining in the whole silkie craze, and boy am i happy with this little one. Its topknot is huge, it seems to be healthy, and boy! its feet are feathered like a snow bird!

Gorgeous chick, Is it from your breeding lines?