Trouble hatching Silkie Eggs

[brynromero]

Hi all,
I’m at posting today with a little bit of frustration, and hope for help!

I have Silkie chickens, I have incubated two different sets of eggs now with no hatches. My hen did sit on a clutch and hatched 2. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this problem hatching silkies in an incubator. I have an automatic turned, and keep the humidity relatively high. I had 4 make it to lock down alive, but they never hatched. My other breed hatched just fine 3/5. (They were hatched at a different time than the silkies) Any help?

Thanks!

 

[ChickNanny13]

@Pyxis @sylviethecochin @Texas Kiki

 

[Kiki]

Do you have a calibrated thermometer in your incubator? And also have you salt tested your humidity gauge to make sure it's reading correctly?

When you say you've kept the humidity high just how high have you been keeping it?

This might be your problem.

 

[brynromero]

Yes I do. I keep it between 50-60 and then boost it toward 80 for hatching.

 

[Kiki]

Yes I do. I keep it between 50-60 and then boost it toward 80 for hatching.

I believe this is way too high and probably the reason your chicks are dying.

Lower the humidity down to 30 and then only bump it to 50 once you actually see the first external pip.

 

[Kiki]

The too high humidity throughout is probably causing them to not lose enough fluid in the egg and they are drowning in it.

 

[brynromero]

I believe this is way too high and probably the reason your chicks are dying.

Lower the humidity down to 30 and then only bump it to 50 once you actually see the first external pip.

Got it thank you! Will try this!!

 

[brynromero]

The too high humidity throughout is probably causing them to not lose enough fluid in the egg and they are drowning in it.

Wanted to thank you! I hatched 4 of 6 just before my girls stopped laying to molt!

 

[Kiki]

Wanted to thank you! I hatched 4 of 6 just before my girls stopped laying to molt!

Sweet!
Congratulations.

 

[zxsaaaw]

I think I have been keeping my humidity too high too. The air cells seemed large enough though? Do you think that if the air cells seem fine then the chick will be fine?