Hatching bought Silkie Eggs In incubator and under hen

[Gypsymoon_x]

Hello

On the 29th January i bought silkie eggs locally for my hen, i put 6 under her that night and 3 in the incubator the following day. Well much to my surprise 2 hatched on the 11th feb ( so 13 days later ) another hatched on the 14th and another on the 15th ( today ). She appears to have given up on the other 2 and i've placed them in the incubator so now i have 5 in the incubator. My problem now is i'm not sure when to put the eggs into lockdown as the others had obviously been sat on by the ladys hen i bought the eggs from ( my bad for not candling first ) i'll try take a photo tonight and see what you all think, but i've been trying to look at egg development photos to get a feel for where mine are at.. in one i seen a claw near the air sac end

Thanks

 

[Debbie292d]

I think you lost me. Even though silkies can hatch early, that's is generally 19 days instead of 21, and yours are hatching in 13? I've hatched several hundred silkies and have had two hatch in 18 days, the rest, 19, 20, or 21. Perhaps you're mistaken about what day you bought them, as a 13-day incubation for a chicken is impossible or a miracle.

I would put them all into lockdown no matter as regardless, they're in their last week anyway. I do five-day lockdowns instead of three, just due to those couple that hatched early (18 days) on me.

Egg rotation is important the first two weeks. After that, it doesn't matter as much as they are large enough to move around themselves so they won't get stuck.

Wishing you a great hatch!