Yay!!!

[Frozen Feathers]

Just checked on my Silkies eggs, I have 2 hens that have gone broody, and I heard chirping!!! Two of the eggs have pipped (externally)!

Going to check later on! I'm so excited these are my first homegrown babies! The only thing I'm wondering is if they are pure Silkies because I did have my entire flock together just a week before I seperated my Silkies and have heard that rooster sperm is very potent.

Silky/Phoenix....wouldn't that be interesting? Could also be Jap/Silky, Lakenvelder/Silky but hopefully Silky/Silky! Anyway, if they aren't pure, my Silkies girls all 4 of them are broody to the extreme and I will try again.

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!

 

[justusnak]

Ohhh, how exciteing!!! Of course we will want pics!!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Well, baby had made a little more leeway! I sort of panicked this evening realizing that the eggs are in my breeding pen and didn't think it was a safe place for them to hatch (with 3 other hens and a roo) so I moved one of the Silky girls (my friendliest and the original broody) indoors with all the eggs. The mom and eggs are in a dog carrier and she is very content sitting on the eggs encouraging the babies to hatch. She's not even concerned in her new location and actually seems a bit more relaxed not having to deal with the other hens. Baby is still peeping his head off, but I don't think in a distressed way.
I don't know how wise this was on my part but everything seems to be going well. I also have peace of mind that the other Silkies aren't going to argue over the babies and they will be warm enough. Maybe I'm bit nuts for moving her last minute, but I've been reading that a broody should be separated anyway. I will let everyone know in the morning and

hopefully with pics of new chickies!!
Well, here's a pick of mom being content.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

WOOHOO! I love a hatching!

Can't wait to see what you get! And I can't wait to see the pics!


Meghan

 

[Frozen Feathers]

1st baby has hatched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My DH took a pic of it in my hand, so that's why the pic is blurry, he's bad at taking photos.

But anyhow here it is. All black (possibly dark grey) w/ black legs. Wasn't dry yet, but chirping and as lively as I suppose one would be after being cramped in an egg after 3 weeks!

Will take better pic in the morning!

 

[cheepchicks]

Oh how absolutely darling...its the teensiest thing I have ever seen. I can't wait til my keets hatch !

Kim

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Thanks!
I read your not supposed to hold them until they are dry...of course I read this after I did it.

It's sitting under it's mama right now, chirping away, so I don't think I hurt it by doing that. They are in my living room, so I am listening to it chirp away and mama clucking back! So cute! Can't wait util chicky dries!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Well, sad news.

The little chicky didn't make it through the night. I found him not under his mother so maybe something was wrong him. I hope it wasn't anything I did.

I think he may have been too early or sick. When I had checked on him at 4 he was dry but just laying in front of mom, and very quite. I think he should have been standing by then, or at least trying too. I don't know though, since I've never had chicks hatch before.

The other egg that I had thought had pipped was a fresh egg that some bitty laid in the nest and someone pecked or something.

It's very disappointing. When I looked at him yesterday to see if there was any obvious reason he had died I couldn't see anything, but was he a perfect Silky.

Hopefully the rest will hatch and be healthy. I heard cheeps under mama, this morning but didn't dare bother her after this disaster. She is still sitting contently in the dog crate, taking care of her eggs.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby! How heartbreaking.

Some babies just aren't built to make it. I'm sure it was nothing you did.

 

[JackieK318]

Let us know how the rest go. I am so excited to see pics. I can't wait until my two silkies make babies!!!