Silkie Egg question

[chamlover]

I've been trying to raise silkies from eggs lately and i've come across a problem. I doesn't seem to matter how many eggs i start with, only a small number are hatching. I haven't glued them down and i don't know if that has anything to do with it. Any ideas? The ones that do hatch grow nicely without any problems.


Debby

 

[sharkey]

where are you getting your eggs from?

when i get eggs from coastal i have a near 100% hatch rate.

when i hatch out eggs from adult moths of mine the hatch rate is low. i'm not sure why since i've tried putting the eggs in the frige for 3 months AND not refrigerating them at all.

 

[Vibrant Chameleons]

Sounds like you are possibly getting older eggs. If some hatch, they should all hatch...

When I get mine from Canadian Silkworms, I've had nothing but GREAT hatch rates. Usually over 95% hatch rate. I just use a Hovabator to hatch them out at around 78 degrees.

 

[desultadox]

I'm in the process of trying to hatch some now. I bred a bunch of moths I got from Coastal, but I don't know if these will hatch at all. I don't think i followed the rules lol. I had them out in heat for a couple of months, then in the fridge for a month, and now I put them back out about a week ago. So far nothing.

 

[dodolah]

they need diapause phase to hatch.
r u breeding the silkies? or do you purchase eggs from the farm?
if you purchased them, the farm usually have done it for you.

If you breed your own silkie (like i do), after the moth laid eggs, wait for the eggs to turn black, and then put them in the fridge (lower door) for a month to induce diapause.

Don't put them in the freezer.

After a month, take them out. than hatch them.

 

[Sassy]

Great Info! I was in this same situation! Now I know they need to be refrigerated for 3 mo. and I will take them back out and put them in the incubator Thanks!

 

[dodolah]

Great Info! I was in this same situation! Now I know they need to be refrigerated for 3 mo. and I will take them back out and put them in the incubator Thanks!

a month or two is enough.