The little silkie that was determined to be born

technodoll

Songster
10 Years
Aug 25, 2009
2,265
33
191
Quebec, Canada
I've just witnessed a miracle.

About 2 weeks ago, I candled the 6 eggs my silkie hen had been sitting on for 10 days. 5 eggs candled clear, one showed an embryo. I was crushed, didn't know what to do as hatching one lone chick seemed a terrible destiny.

My friend had just hatched some chicks so I asked him to bring them over and swap out the one egg for the chicks, so my hen could finally be a mom (2nd time broody, never any babies). Worked like a charm, she is the best surrogate mom evar!

Problem: what to do with the egg?...

Solution: be lucky enough to have the same friend take the egg, stick it in a long cotton sock and wrap the sock around his neck like a tie, so it laid close to his body for heat. He had to run errands for the day and would only be able to put the egg under one of his broody hens in the evening but hey, it was worth a shot... Nothing to lose as the alternative was to toss the little silkie egg. (his broody had been sitting on a clutch of eggs for 10 days- what a coincidence!)

Well guess what... yesterday, the little silkie baby hatched!!!

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This embryo endured drastic changes in temp and humidity, it got bumped around and handled and re-set under another hen... and still, it hatched.

Sometimes nature gives you a fighter - I am still dumbfounded, amazed and oh! so happy!
 
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She seems quite alright, another miracle! She is still resting, pooping normally, eating and drinking and her prolapsed cloaca has receeded back into her vent - her abdomen is still swollen but there is no more protusion, I am soooo relieved!

However... her next egg will determine her fate. We are on a nervous wreck of pins and needles.

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I don't have pics since the chick is at my friend's place, I don,t know if he will keep it or not... crossing fingers I get to have him back!

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