Are the chicks hatching?

 

Hatching Silkies

 

I just wanted to quickly share a tip that I finally figured out when hatching Silkies. They are more of a fragile and somewhat delicate breed, and often hatch rates aren't great. 

I remember seeing a post by someone quite a while back about humidity. They said that if your humidity is too high you can drown Silkie chicks in the shell.

It was by accident that I found out this may be true..

My incubator humidity had dropped from the recommended 80% to around 55%, and the silkie chicks hatched great despite..clean as a whistle!

So my last hatch I purposely left the humidy lower and again they hatched well. I have another small hatch due this weekend and I'm going to do the same and see how it goes, but I'm pretty convinced at this point that lower humidity at hatch is much better for silkies. 

Just wanted to pass the info along I'm case it helps someone!

If I Sell You Chicks or Eggs...

So, I wanted to mention something that I feel is important, and would like for anyone who's considering buying eggs or chicks from me, to read please.

Most people, including myself in the past, buy chicks or fertile eggs from someone having the expectation that they will hatch and or raise chickens that are as good as that breeder's best birds.

It doesn't always work that way.

It's said that it takes an investment of anywhere from 3-5 years for a breeder to establish a line of their own. That's if they are utilizing an actual breeding program, and select each year's keepers carefully. By year three and beyond, pretty consistent results should be able to be expected.
Even then, weird genes can still pop up, and out of 100 chicks hatched, there will always be the top 5-10 that are exceptional. The rest may be good, but not the best..and if they can help it, breeders will never sell you their best! They need them to continue their own line.

I've purchased hatching eggs for $80-$100, and have only hatched a few, and some of them had faults, disqualifications, or were only mediocre.

 Please be aware of the risk and willing to take it. 

 Many breeders will not sell eggs or day old chicks anymore because of these things, as well as not wanting to unknowingly sell their best bird that season. But for many, they will only sell started juveniles so they and you as well, know more about what you're getting.

With some of my breeds I will grow the majority out for several months before selling any. With some I may sell eggs or chicks if I've hatched all I need and still have alot of extra eggs, but I can't and won't guarantee what you will hatch or how the chicks will turn out.
I'd have to lie to do so.
Chicks may grow out to be amazing, or some fault could show up down the line. I have no idea and neither does anyone else who sells eggs or chicks, if they'd admit it lol.
Also, if fertility is low, I won't sell eggs. I don't want anyone wasting their money if I can help it. 

*The postal system can be brutal on shipped eggs. They can get scrambled inside the egg, or cells sometimes detach. They can get smashed and frozen..lots of scenarios can arise. You have to understand that and be willing to gamble. 

*With live birds, they will be healthy when they leave my hands. I can not be responsible for what they are exposed to or how they are cared for when they leave here. 

With all that said, I do not offer refunds on live birds or hatching eggs. If you decide to purchase from me, I will ask you to read this post. By going ahead and purchasing, you're agreeing to these terms. 

There are some people out there who make all of this process necessary, and ruin things for the rest of us!

If you understand these issues and the risks, I'd be happy to work with you!

Cheryl

How to store eggs for hatching

Here's some basic tips for taking care of and storing fertile eggs for hatching from one of my favorite youtubers..

Updated Thoughts - Nurture Right Incubator

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