Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LadiesAndJane]

Oh no I am so sorry about the shipped eggs!

It's really too bad little Imari may be hatchery stock as well. I've got a couple single combs I've kept and quite a few slipped winged ones but they had enough other nice traits to make them worth working with. It's tough when you are bringing in new stock through hatching eggs, even coming from really good breeders they'll often have faults. I am much pickier with the ones I hatch from my flock as I can always hatch more from the same pair and pick the best. If I had the funds I might approach things differently though.

I so hope your little paint egg makes it (and is paint or dominant white)!!!

Do any local breeders have paint? If not and your little paint doesn't make it maybe I can help out with paint eggs when I get my NPIP certification (if you are interested). I'm hoping to get it this year or next. If shipping to Hawaii isn't terribly complicated/expensive I'd be happy to send some free of charge to give you another shot at maybe getting some paints.

I hope your cockerel starts mating with the other girls too! In your place I'd be tempted to AI now I've seen how easy it is.

Thank you! You are so sweet!
Very kind of you to offer to send eggs.
I am letting go of it for now. Though I may take you up on it in the future.
Hope little Eko (yes the lone egg has a name ) makes it. Seems strong and healthy so far. Only ever so slightly saddled.
I have two red, sexed female cochin bantams coming from Cackle the day of the hatch to keep this little one company. Hope they make it safely. If it does not hatch, then I guess I have a few cochins!
I am hoping Imari turns into a swan, you never know I guess. He has almost no crest, his little feathers are quite scraggly. He is supposed to be bearded, but hard to say at this point.
He will likely stay with us regardless.
I actually saw the video you linked on your post about AI. Does not look too hard, but I am not quite there yet.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Hatched Easter Friday! Only 1 out of 11 were fertile!!! .. I was hoping for a partridge but this chick looks just grey but does have yellowish lighter bits on head so not sure if that will just turn into plain grey allover?
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Sorry you only had one fertile.
I am struggling with that as well. Sweet chick!
Grey partridge perhaps?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Ooh how exciting!!!

My eggs that are the farthest along are on day 13 today (5 of them). I've got 6 more that are up to a week younger as well that all show nice development so far. I'm glad I have multiple incubators so I can dedicate one for hatching with this staggered hatch!

We do have the same hatch day! Eko is on DAY 13 as well!
Happy to hear your eggs are doing well.
Having extra incubators is awesome!

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Just got these photos in the brooder of the Fab Four, before taking them outside to their tractor for the day. I know I posted pictures of them last week but they’re growing so quickly! They are now completely outdoors during the day in a 4 x 6 tractor and on the lanai/carport at night in a 2 x 3 brooder. They have a heat plate there but they do not use it, mostly just sit on top of it. They sure love being outside!

 

[LynnaePB]

Just got these photos in the brooder of the Fab Four, before taking them outside to their tractor for the day. I know I posted pictures of them last week but they’re growing so quickly! They are now completely outdoors during the day in a 4 x 6 tractor and on the lanai/carport at night in a 2 x 3 brooder. They have a heat plate there but they do not use it, mostly just sit on top of it. They sure love being outside!
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They really do change so much in only a short time! They are looking adorable!

 

[TJAnonymous]

The Silkie House is ALMOST complete. We have to put on the roof panels and the covered porch. Also need to put in the sand substrate and automatic chicken door. Should finish all that tomorrow.... I'd like to move them out tomorrow, if possible...

Then we still have the covered run to put in. DH wants to rent a trencher to do it because his back is bothering him. Kinda overkill if you ask me. The run is about 10' x 16'.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

The Silkie House is ALMOST complete. We have to put on the roof panels and the covered porch. Also need to put in the sand substrate and automatic chicken door. Should finish all that tomorrow.... I'd like to move them out tomorrow, if possible...

View attachment 2597942

Then we still have the covered run to put in. DH wants to rent a trencher to do it because his back is bothering him. Kinda overkill if you ask me. The run is about 10' x 16'.

Looks fantastic! Do you have any photos of the interior you would like to share?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

@Chickeria
How did your hatch go?

 

[Chickeria]

@Chickeria
How did your hatch go?

Hi LadiesAndJane thank you for asking
12 of my 13 bantam silkie eggs hatched fine (2 on day 20 all the others on day 21) and now one egg is left (it is not the one with the saddeled aircell - that one hatched fine).
I candled it today and don't have much hope
I tried to take pictures, but it is impossible with my camera in the dark.

The egg has a large, very light aircell with a very curved/irregular edge. Then comes an orange looking ring, then a red looking ring, then an irregular black shape filling out the egg top. I candled long time but saw no movement. Couldn't make out any veining.
...Egg doesn't smell.

11 of the 15 bantam Brahma x Deutsches Buschhuhn mixes hatched fine (first one and most others day 21). From the 4 remaining eggs 1 did have an external pip when I checked last time. Among the last three is the completely dark egg and the one with the question mark.
I will post a picture of the first hatched little bB x DB mix in the hatch-a-alongs

My little silkies are tiny, and some of them are even tinier. They dart out under their brooderplate when I call them They eat and drink and poop fine. The two who hatched last still sleep a lot (last one did have sticky dried feathers on head and back, we had to soak the areas a bit with wet q-tips, first time I was too cautious so we did have to do it a second time and second time the little one really got upset, I think that was a lot of stress).

I will introduce them when I know about the last egg...otherwise it is kind of: one is missing... I don't want to act already as if the little one will never hatch...

 

[TJAnonymous]

Finally moved the babies to the new Silkie house.... Still have to put the plywood and sliding "barn doors" on the lower broody boxes. The sliding doors have chicken wire on them and can be closed to give a broody some peace and privacy if she is sitting. Should have enough room for food and water in there too....

Also those roosts on top of the broody boxes lift off so you can access from the top if the barn doors are closed.