Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Yay!

When can I consider it safe to start hatching my newly-laying silkie's eggs? As in, when are they considered not pullet eggs? I want to hatch some eggs in about Jan or Feb.

Whoever started the rumor that silkies are bad layers was WRONG!!! My silkies are laying more eggs than my Americaunas and Polish, and the Americaunas had a head start!

My silkies are superb winter layers and half decent summer layers. If you want plenty of eggs in winter though, you need silkies haha

As for when to hatch your new layers eggs, the real answer is any time you want as long as the eggs are not abnormally shaped/formed and that you've checked a few beforehand for fertility.

The main reason people say don't hatch eggs until a pullet is over 1 year is mainly to have a lower chance of passing on undesirable traits. Some faults/traits don't show on birds until after their first moult so without seeing that first, you could be hatching chicks also with the faults until it becomes visible later down the line.

If you know what lines your birds have come from, I wouldn't worry so much about that.

If you are hatching for fun, you can hatch a pullets eggs any time you want!

That first egg from Porridge I got today I put straight under my broody. This hatch is just a fun one so I'm not fussed if it doesn't hatch. Plus I don't know if it's fertile but no harm in giving it a chance. It's normally shaped just small but we will see what happens!

 

[LynnaePB]

I got a shock today...

I went to check in my coop for eggs as normal, only to find a (smaller than I usually get) small egg that had little streaks of blood on. The kind that a brand new layer would pass as their first egg.

Only I was confused because well...I don't have any silkies that are due to lay. At least I thought...

Porridge has started laying!

She's only 20 weeks old and I've never personally had a Silkie start laying at that age!

She still sounds like a chick herself, her voice hasn't even matured

However, it's definitely 100% her laying because her pelvic bones are three finger spacing apart.

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Wow she laid before she got her adult voice? She must be an overachiever!

Yay!

When can I consider it safe to start hatching my newly-laying silkie's eggs? As in, when are they considered not pullet eggs? I want to hatch some eggs in about Jan or Feb.

Whoever started the rumor that silkies are bad layers was WRONG!!! My silkies are laying more eggs than my Americaunas and Polish, and the Americaunas had a head start!

I've never quite understood why you aren't supposed to incubate pullet eggs (except when they are extra small). My silkie girls eggs have gotten to a good size within about a week of laying. I incubated some of my splash girls eggs after she had been laying 2 weeks and 5 out of 5 were fertile and all hatched without any issue (some of my best hatchers actually).

Ah just saw Fur-n-Fowl answered, I understand the reasoning with the possible faults now, makes sense!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Wow she laid before she got her adult voice? She must be an overachiever!



I've never quite understood why you aren't supposed to incubate pullet eggs (except when they are extra small). My silkie girls eggs have gotten to a good size within about a week of laying. I incubated some of my splash girls eggs after she had been laying 2 weeks and 5 out of 5 were fertile and all hatched without any issue (some of my best hatchers actually).

Yep, she still sounds like a chick

It's strange to see, I can't believe it!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yes she's one of the LF ones I had so most likely it is more accurate in that size for some reason!

Oh gosh I love her outfit!

Thank you, she hated the outfit. She out grew it, so I gave it to one of the Bantam Silkies.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Thank you, she hated the outfit. She out grew it, so I gave it to one of the Bantam Silkies.

Ah well she'll be happy it doesn't fit anymore

I've got some Christmas bandanas to put on my girls but I just need some half decent weather to photograph them.

 

[PioneerChicks]

My silkies are superb winter layers and half decent summer layers. If you want plenty of eggs in winter though, you need silkies haha

As for when to hatch your new layers eggs, the real answer is any time you want as long as the eggs are not abnormally shaped/formed and that you've checked a few beforehand for fertility.

The main reason people say don't hatch eggs until a pullet is over 1 year is mainly to have a lower chance of passing on undesirable traits. Some faults/traits don't show on birds until after their first moult so without seeing that first, you could be hatching chicks also with the faults until it becomes visible later down the line.

If you know what lines your birds have come from, I wouldn't worry so much about that.

If you are hatching for fun, you can hatch a pullets eggs any time you want!

That first egg from Porridge I got today I put straight under my broody. This hatch is just a fun one so I'm not fussed if it doesn't hatch. Plus I don't know if it's fertile but no harm in giving it a chance. It's normally shaped just small but we will see what happens!

Wow she laid before she got her adult voice? She must be an overachiever!



I've never quite understood why you aren't supposed to incubate pullet eggs (except when they are extra small). My silkie girls eggs have gotten to a good size within about a week of laying. I incubated some of my splash girls eggs after she had been laying 2 weeks and 5 out of 5 were fertile and all hatched without any issue (some of my best hatchers actually).

Ah just saw Fur-n-Fowl answered, I understand the reasoning with the possible faults now, makes sense!

Oh, well if it is just quality than I might try to participate in the Christmas hatch this year! My silkies are hatchery quality, so they will just be sold as pets. Someday I plan on getting good quality silkies and going into show breeding.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ah well she'll be happy it doesn't fit anymore

I've got some Christmas bandanas to put on my girls but I just need some half decent weather to photograph them.

She's broody now, & keeps stealing eggs. Yes, she's happy she out grew the Tu Tu.
Marshmallow is now the proud owner of the Tu Tu.

She likes the Tu Tu.

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

Oh, well if it is just quality than I might try to participate in the Christmas hatch this year! My silkies are hatchery quality, so they will just be sold as pets. Someday I plan on getting good quality silkies and going into show breeding.

I say go for it!

Get them in the bator now and we can hatch together...I don't want to be the only one with babies hatching on Christmas Day

Whenever you incubate some be sure to post any chicks here!

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

She's broody now, & keeps stealing eggs. Yes, she's happy she out grew the Tu Tu.
Marshmallow is now the proud owner of the Tu Tu.View attachment 1974561 She likes the Tu Tu.

Oh wow, she looks like she's stylin' that tutu

 

[PioneerChicks]

I say go for it!

Get them in the bator now and we can hatch together...I don't want to be the only one with babies hatching on Christmas Day

Whenever you incubate some be sure to post any chicks here!

I will absolutely post them here! After checking available hatchalongs, I should probably wait until the new years hatch, just to give myself more time to prepare.

Question on incubation eggs: Is it okay if I store them in the fridge, or should I leave them out on the counter. They will be unwashed, upside down, tilted, and turned a few times a day, but I don't know where/how to store them.