Temp&humidity small eggs?

[cattbird]

I know this must be the most asked/stupid question But everywhere I check has different answers.
I am hatching a rare breed of Miniature Silkie eggs that are tiny, Does the temp/humidity need to be higher or lower or the same?
If someone could give me the perfect temp&humidity (including how much to turn up in last days)I would be eternally grateful!!

Thankyou.

 

[adrian]

I know this isn't a great help, but use a gram scale to weigh the eggs. This will be far more accurate and allow you to make careful adjustments to reach the perfect humidity level for your climate, your incubator, and your eggs. Weigh the eggs, record the weight, and weigh them every week. Smaller eggs require higher humidity, as they have less moisture to lose, yes? But thin-shelled eggs require lower humidity... Personally, I'd start reasonably high (55-60%?) and then see if the air cell is reaching proper size and they are losing enough weight... If not, lower it significantly. As for the hatch, after the pip, higher is better than lower.

Oh, and also... The temperature for all bird eggs in a forced air incubator is 99.5. Body temperatures vary somewhat, but not enough to make or break a hatch... Smaller birds have higher body temperatures, but just stick to the tried and true and you will be okay... I'd probably also stick within the "safe range" for humidity for chickens and see what happens.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

A rare breed of miniature silkies? i must know more!

 

[adrian]

Quote:
I second this.

 

[cattbird]

Thank you.

The Silkies are miniature. About 8" from head to toe so quite a bit smaller than regular bantams.. I think?

I've not kept any sorts of chickens before, but wanted something small for my garden, and came across these. I'm hatching black and whites and cant wait.. but just know somethings going to go wrong, the eggs cost so much I dont know how much my pocket (or heart) could take!!

Ill post piccies if/when any hatch.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Okay, how much and where did you get them? i'm trying not to sound like i'm holding a gun to your head.

Oh, oh, oh, i just noticed you are in England. When i did a web search, i did find some miniature silkie eggs on ebay, but only in the UK. i wonder if there are any minnies over in the states?

Sounds like adrian gave you some excellent advice. Just keep a positive attitude and hope for the best. And please do keep us all posted. Many silkie lovers on this site. Ignore the posts about silkies being evil.

 

[adrian]

I would like to say... Lower humidity is better than higher. Always. If your humidity is too high during incubation, your chicks won't be able to breathe when they pip the air cell. They'll drown in the excess moisture.

Also some more tips - when they say 18 day lockdown... They mean 18 day lockdown... If you are candling and moving the eggs around while the babies are getting ready to internal pip, some of them are going to get out of position and either die or hatch from the wrong end...

I wish I had some mini silkies...

 

[cattbird]

Yes I'm i the UK i'm afraid. I got the white lot from eBay (UK), and found a breeder for the blacks. They were both shipped. Seeing as i've never hatched before, twinned with the fact my two thermometers are reading totally opposite to each other (Have a third digital thermo-hygrometer on order) I dont give them much hope.. but will keep you all updated.

So temp 99.5 F

and what about humidity?

xx