[CameronS]

Hi,

I have 7 eggs due to hatch today, i know for sure that one will be hatching soon as it is tapping at the shell, the other 6 are making no movement at all. In the early days the Temp dropped by 2 degrees for about 3 hours when we were out, will this delay the hatching times?

Thanks
Cameron 

[jameslindsay]

Thery normally all hatch at different times any way so you may be  lucky. I once had eggs where the same sort of thing happened but sadly only one hatched. Good luck.

[dizzy1pig]

Did you candle them to make sure they were viable.... I know it,s maybe a daft question but at least that way you may know what to expect..
Mine are due next Wednesday will be a surprise but out of 30 29 are viable so my fingers crossed.. You want any silkie eggs for incubator i got box of mixed less than week old white black red

[whitby_sam]

I have a key meter for my leccie (ex wife strikes again) and it ran out while I was out one day. When I got home the temp had dropped to 18.3 deg so I assume it was off for a good few hours but all mine came out OK and all but one came within 24 hours

[CameronS]

No harm done, well nothing massive, a day late, but 6 out of 7 eggs are moving and piping like mad

one very Happy "dad"

Out of interest do silkies make good broody hens, with my exams and what not i don't really want to be "faffing" (if you getthe idea) rearing my own day olds, but letting a hen or two hatch chicks, thats a different story.

[CameronS]

Is it posiable for the chicks to create a large hole yet look as if they are permature?, slightly worried now, what should it look like

[whitby_sam]

Ours looked damp and bald. Slightly pink... Don't worry, they soon fluff up!

It may take them a few hours to find their feet and sort out their balance so again don't worry! The only thing to remember is not to help them out of the shell, they'll come out when they're ready.

[CameronS]

I have one hactched, but cannot stand, and is covered in what feels like concrete, slightly more worried, as it won't drink, and just lies thrashing it's feet

[whitby_sam]

How long has it been hatched? It takes a fair while for them to dry out and find their feet. Particularly the first one who doesn't have anyone to show him/her what to do.

[jameslindsay]

Cameron I wouldn't be worried, sounds like some I have hatched before and they were fine. The mess will dry and it will drink when its ready but sometimes it takes a while for them to stand on their own.

[CameronS]

it has been hatched now for about 8 hours, it just dosn't appear quite right, but i suppose what happens happens 

[dizzy1pig]

takes a full 24 hours before they are ready to be up n off... until then leave it in incubator enough goodness in egg to last that long..
let me know if you want the silkie eggs.. i could drop em off sunday if you like

[CameronS]

Thanks for the offer, but i'll need to wait for the rest, or atleast give them a chance,
they were due on Tuesday, so i'm not sure how long to eave them now

[dizzy1pig]

 good luck.... i got till wed to go  for mine

[CameronS]

good luck with yours too,