Age to breed

[Brabra]

At what age are roosters ready to breed new baby chicks and same questions for pullets. I assume for pullets you should at least wait until their eggs are adult sized? Anything else I should be aware of for picking fertilized eggs to hatch?

 

[nuthatched]

Roosters will breed as early as their hormones and the hens let them, it depends.
You shouldn't really hatch any eggs before a bird reaches full size, maybe 8-9 months.

 

[Brabra]

Roosters will breed as early as their hormones and the hens let them, it depends.
You shouldn't really hatch any eggs before a bird reaches full size, maybe 8-9 months.

Thank you!

 

[Mrs. K]

When you are thinking about breeding - keep a tally sheet on the counter and check your eggs as you cook. When you are getting 95-100% bulls eyes - you can set with confidence.

Do not set small eggs, or weak shelled eggs, or double Yorkers.

Do know that on here several years ago - we kept a running tally of eggs set, and chicks hatched. People just added their data to the data before. When we really got enough data to be statistically relevant, it came out pretty positive, incubator or broody hen, that 50% was average hatch. Of course some people had better, and some people had worse individual hatches... but the average was 50%. So I always figure if it is over 50% I am doing good, and if it is under 50%, really not so good - but I plan for a 50% hatch.

Mrs K

 

[Brabra]

When you are thinking about breeding - keep a tally sheet on the counter and check your eggs as you cook. When you are getting 95-100% bulls eyes - you can set with confidence.

Do not set small eggs, or weak shelled eggs, or double Yorkers.

Do know that on here several years ago - we kept a running tally of eggs set, and chicks hatched. People just added their data to the data before. When we really got enough data to be statistically relevant, it came out pretty positive, incubator or broody hen, that 50% was average hatch. Of course some people had better, and some people had worse individual hatches... but the average was 50%. So I always figure if it is over 50% I am doing good, and if it is under 50%, really not so good - but I plan for a 50% hatch.

Mrs K

Thank you! Can you see a double yolker when candling?

 

[Mrs. K]

Usually I can tell by the shape, but I have been surprised a time or two. Candling would be a good idea and you should be able to tell.

 

[Brabra]

Usually I can tell by the shape, but I have been surprised a time or two. Candling would be a good idea and you should be able to tell.

Thank you!