The Les Stroud of Chick Eggs

My hen kicked an egg out of her nest that didn't hatch. After it had been abandoned for about 6 hours, I decided to candle before tossing it and saw movement. It was much earlier in development. Another chicken must have somehow contributed an egg while she was nesting. I tossed it in the incubator, which was stone cold and tkes a while to heat. Then the humidity bottomed out. Because I didn't know its age, (and I misjudged based on candling) I was actually turning it manually when it began to peep. I shut the incubator door, jacked the humidity, and waited for the hatch. For 2 days this gaffer struggled to hatch, and it's here! Survivor Chick!

LAura

 

I think I'll have to ppost a pic, because it's sooo cute. It appears to be half silkie, which makes this hatch more amazing still- we have one little silkie roo which didn't seem to be getting any respect from the ladies... It's all round quite a surprising event!

Laura