Silkies Ahead

“Yes!” exclaimed my hubby as he read the text on his cell phone and announced, “Seven fertile eggs out of ten!”

A surge of excitement splashed my face and felt like I just got the most wonderful surprise gift. “True? Wow!”

“That’s what the hatchery said,” He replied, beaming a smile.

“Does that mean all seven will hatch into chicks?”

“No, but they most likely will.”

Two months ago, we received a young pair of silky chicken from a friend. And this pair traveled all the way from Pangasinan to Laguna. My friend and I haven’t seen each other for four years. So it was thoughtful of him to remember and come through with his promise of giving me some. He would have brought the chicks but was sure they wouldn’t survive the long journey. So he brought a paired couple for me. My friend has a farm of all sorts of animals in Pangasinan.

Why silky chickens? Well, they’re pretty and cute. They fascinate me. They have silky white feathers with a pom-pom ball crown. Their shanks covered with feathers too. (Just like the legs of a shire horse) Their skin and meat is black. Folks say they’re medicinal with the proper cooking method. Others call them Chinese chicken.

My friend said, “Better that I give you the pair so you can have plenty of them soon.”

And true enough, after a couple of weeks of letting them loose at a friend’s stables, the hen has started laying! But she won’t sit on them. She lays her eggs scattered all over the stables' ground. So the eggs were collected and turned over to us.

I called my friend and asked what’s wrong with the hen?

“Oh, they don’t sit on their eggs… I bring it to hatchery.” He said.

Ohhh, now he tells me…

We took the first cluster of eggs (eleven eggs) to a small hatchery.

“Just come back for it on Dec 31.” They said.

We waited with anticipation all eager for the sight of mini fluffy silkies in a box.

Comes December 31, hubby came home with a small box -- filled with eggs still. All excitement rumbled like the fortress of Erebor.

“All eggs were infertile.” He informed.

So it was New Year’s Eve, and the littlest penoys nestled beside the basket of round fruits set on the festive night.

Now, this news about the second clutch is the exact opposite of last week. We were already expecting to receive the same news.

Hmm… But some fluffy chicks would be nice…

Then it hits me.

Literally.

And I can’t help but give a soundless chuckle.

“DON’T COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH.” 

As the proverb sank deeper, I'm reminded again of the following lessons from this experience. And reminders are good.

First, yes, don’t make baseless assumptions. Optimism is good, but baseless assumptions may result to disappointments. It's a young pair and it was the hen’s first clutch. We should have considered that fact before assuming those eggs would hatch 100%.  That would have saved us the let-down. Assumptions must be made on sound basis.

Second, be realistic. Understand that there are several possible outcomes of any instances. Give it a thought and consider all them. Have corresponding action plans for each one.

I am a person who strongly believes in the power of attraction. I prefer to focus my energy on thinking the positive outcome. Still, it is wise to be realistic. 

With the first clutch, we should have been prepared that the eggs may not hatch. It was foolish to think that it would all hatch just because it was what we wanted. 

For the second clutch, we should have not completely given up on it ever hatching. We thought that way because, we opted to avoid another disappointment.

Eggs taken to the hatchery may either hatch or not. May hatch, but weak. May hatch, but with a deformity. We should know what to do for each possible outcome.

Third, know what you’re getting into. Give due diligence in getting necessary information about what you want. Ask questions from those who already have what you want to have. In that way, you’ll be better guided and avoid mistakes they’ve already done.

I want the silkies because they are fluffy, cute, and unique. If I only did some queries about having them from my friend, I would have been more prepared. Of course, there was no way for him to know I don’t know much about silky (other than they’re cute).

I should have asked; How old the given pair was? What’s the natural behavior of these chickens? What to do when the eggs start coming? How to store the eggs before taking it to the hatchery? Where or how to hatch? How to get the hen hatch her own eggs? And so forth… My friend has all the answers because he’s been through it all. All I needed to do was ask.

Tomorrow is the hatch day of the second clutch with seven fertile eggs. For sure there are three penoys because there were ten eggs. Would there be fluffy chicks? Or would there be balut?

Whatever happens, the improvement from 0% to 70% fertile eggs is promising.  And with all the lessons learned, the plentiful silky may not be so far ahead.  :)