Well, I did it! Hatched 4 beautiful Silkie babies this weekend. They are all very nice. Two in particular have giant skulls! Long story short, I pulled my eggs from the incubator and swapped them with my broody hen eggs. (see 1st post in this thread). Saturday morning I went out and picked my hen up. I only found 3 eggs! I freaked and then realized a chick was lying in the corner of her box. Now, I don't know if she tossed it, or if when I picked her up it was stuck to her and dropped. At any rate, in a panic I collected chick and 3 remaining eggs and raced back to the house. Put chick and 3 eggs in incubator, pulled my hen eggs from bator(her own)and rushed them back to put under hen. (I know, you all are thinking-"How did he actually hatch 100%)
My cold chick made it and every 12 hours another popped. It was so neat that I ended up being able to see it all happen. They are hilarious to watch, in the midst of playing they all pass out at the same time. They are all eating and drinking. My wife is on board thus far. Hopefully if I keep them clean they will not get kicked out of the basement. For all of you newbies....Don't worry, ask the BYC for help and you will get through it. It is a miracle I did!!! AND I am ready to do it again!
Oh my gosh!!!!!!! They are absolutely adorable!!! I'm so glad you found the one in the corner! Lucky, lucky save. Two pictures are not enough!! We need LOTS more. LOL So are the eggs fertile that she's on now? When are they due? Are you going to let her be a mommy to any? CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Yes broody hen(Nugget)now has her original 4 eggs back under her. Everyone was right about how I would confuse her if she only sat for 3 days and then had them pop(I think). Like I said, she may have been going about her buisness and I may have been the one that made the chick not be under her. We will never know! I wasn't about to risk the 4 eggs that made it here from TN to MI in freezing cold. Nuggets eggs are due to hatch 1/26/09.
Thanks again for everyones help. Will update pics.