9 month old hens, is it too young to hatch their eggs?

[trunkman]

Hi, I have an 11 hen flock that is laying large to extra large eggs that are 8 to 9 months old that have been laying since August 2nd, my question is are their eggs good enough to use for hatching new chicks? I all of a sudden have more customers than eggs and want to supply the demand. Are they mature enough to produce a good enough quality egg to hatch?

 

[heathersboers]

Mine are also 9 months and I have had an excellent hatch rate and nice looking chicks- Just make sure your rooster is doing his job... I dont see anything wrong with it. What breed are they?

 

[ChickenGirl3]

Do they just naturally have large eggs if they don't they could be double eggers. If you hatch those you have to help the chicks get out or they will both die. You aren't usually suppose to help chicks but the shell is to thick for the chicks to get out. Go one Youtube and type in twin chicks hatching it should show up. Those hens aren't to young those hens are just right, If they are broody I will let them hatch'em on their own and I the aren't hatch them yourself especially if they are double eggers.

Hope this helps!!

 

[al6517]

Yeah Sure, they are ready, and you can with good success, go for it.

AL

 

[trunkman]

Ohhh, the roo is doing his job, every egg I crack into the pan has a bullseye! The eggs are not double yokers, I haven't had one of those since September. The Roo is a RIR and the hens are 2 barred rocks, 3 RIR's, 1 Jersey Giant, 1 white rock, 2 australorps, and 2 New Hampshire red, all dual purpose and good layers.

What do you think?
BTW, one of the reasons I'm asking is because I'm a bit excited about having more orders than eggs and that I just purchased an incubator that arrived last Friday and is set up to go, temp and humidity are holding steady!

 

[donrae]

Ooohh, so you're wanting permission to use your new toy

You came to the right place, this board should be re-named Enablers-R-Us!

 

[debilorrah]

They are fine to hatch. I find I get most of my double yolkers during the first few months that they are laying. Oh and please do not try to hatch a double yolker. It never turns out well for the chicks.

 

[ChickenGirl3]

Quote:
They can come out fine but you have to help them hatch.

 

[trunkman]

Ok, all of you enablers have convinced me to incubate my first batch, I didn't want to till spring and my wife agrees but since you pressured me to do it I will give it a try.