Anybody out there discover they're not really that "into" hatching?

[kuntrygirl]

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Grreyes, I think you have the right attitude. I should learn to think that way.....I'll try. My first hatch with the Brinsea at least gave me two little Olive Egger chicks.....I'm happy about that.

I look at it the same way with my broody hens. I'm sorta the hatchaholic myself when it comes to my broody hens. I steal eggs from the nesting boxes of other breeds and place under my small little bantys and I hope and pray that the eggs are fertile and that they will hatch. I always, always, always, walk away 2nd guessing myself and wonder will it work this time as it did the last time. And I tell myself, that if the banty doesn't hatch the eggs, that I either put too many eggs under her or the eggs were too big. I worry about the eggs slipping from under her and not getting enough warmth to incubate and hatch. So, I understand what you mean.

 

[KZ]

I think everyone is different and what is fun and interesting to one person is tedious and dull to another.

Even though my first hatch did not go well, I found the whole process absolutely wonderful. The whole thing - humidity, egg weight, temperature, size of air cells, etc., is very interesting to me. I guess it would be a hobby. However, I agree with the poster that bought the Sportsman. Things are easier when you have really good equipment. I have a Sportsman and a commercial brooder - both make my life MUCH easier. I tried making a brooder out of plastic tubs, then wood, and found I do not enjoy trying to come up with a design that works and I really dislike trying to clean wood shavings from the bottom of a home made brooder. Nor do I enjoy using an LG incubator and constantly worrying about the temp. and trying to find a good hygrometer that works, etc. To me, that is all throwing good money after bad (my opinion). I prefer the simplicity of design experts have figured out over years of experience. Some people LOVE making their own stuff. Like I said, everyone is different. I took the parts I loved, and tried to improve on the parts I was not so fond of! So far it is working for me.

The poster that enjoys going to the auction has found what they enjoy. Some folks enjoy incubating HUGE numbers of chicks. Some people just enjoy getting the hen after it is feathered out and skipping the early stuff. And..... some people don't even like chickens - hard to believe!

 

[wpalmisano]

You guys mentioned broody hens. I heard that Cochins make good broody hens. I'd like to hear more about it. Did you just find a bird that happened to be a good broody in your flock, or get a certain breed ? I raise mostly game birds, and only recently started with domestic hens. I'd just like to hear more about it. That could be fun too.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Many years ago, when I decided to get chickens, I ordered some for Cackle Hatchery. I ordered straight run. Well, in the straight run, I received 2 cochin bantys. As they got older and started laying eggs, to my surprise, they went broody. I took advantage of it and put 6 - 8 eggs under them from my larger breeds. Well, they hatched all of the eggs. I was also surprised to find out that these 2 girls love to go broody. They were broody at least 3 times that year and every year after that. They are very calm birds. I can walk up to them in the chicken yard, pick them up, rub and touch them and they just remain in my hand. They never fuss when I open their brooder to give them fresh water and food and to change their bedding. They are the best mothers. From my experience with them, I decided to breed 2 more cochin bantys just like them. As of this date, I have 4 cochin banty hens and all of them are broody right at this very moment. They went broody literrally days after one another. It's like clock work every year. They are all setting on 8 eggs. They are responsible for hatching about 80% of all of my chickens and I always have 100+ chickens at any given time. I would not trade these girls for the world. I love my cochin girls.

 

[chickee]

After having bad hatch after bad hatch, I decided to buy the Octagon 20 Advance EX. Just start it up and it does everything for you! I just hatched shipped eggs that traveled all the way from Georgia to California and I had 100% hatch!! Hatching is a lot more fun now!! Here are the 17 chicks that hatched.

 

[BHep]

I also have the Brinsea ECO 20. Plain version, with turner. Seriously... I set the eggs, add water every three or so days and that it. I just lockeddown 28 eggs and 27 hatched. No fuss no muss. I am pleased with it. I have 2 hens that went broody last fall, they had 100% hatch rate, they have not gone broody again. But when they do, I will give them some eggs to hatch.

 

[gritsar]

I'm not that into hatching. Found it to be more work for me in an already full day. I do like letting my broodies hatch though, much simpler.

 

[chicmom]

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I think I'm feeling the same way......

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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I love hatching............in the incubator or with a broody. I just loves me a broody

But there is something about the little chick coming out of an egg I almost ate - and then when they start testing their little legs and flapping their wings....................*sigh* it makes me smile like a loon

 

[mmaddie's mom]

I'm on my very first time hatch try (Brinsea 20 eco) and on day 10 I have nothing... just floating yolks... not looking good. My hens (broodies included) are staying at a friends until I re-do my set-up (due to a mink attack mid-winter). I am hoping to bring home some special eggs in May and bought the incubator just in case my girls aren't back by then or none are broody. I'm thinking that I will stick with my broodies and only use the incubator as an emergency back-up. I will try again but, really, I LOVE MY WONDERFUL BROODIES... and miss them bunches
Good luck to all... broodies or incubators!