December Hatch-A-Long 2014

[Espresso]

So what's everyone hatching for? Egg layers, meat birds or pets?

 

[ArekE]

Im just trying to get egg layers/broodies.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Oh my gosh, what do you do with all those chickens? I only have 4 hens as of right now and only a dozen eggs in the incubator. Of those we will only keep about 4 hens. I can't even imagine 100s of baby chicks! But then again I have a small backyard in a little HOA community. Hubby has plans of buying horse property when we can finally afford to more but even then I don't think I'd be able to hatch 100s of chicks!! Anyway, welcome to the December Hatch A Long, can't wait to hear how you make out!!

I sell them mainly.I have about usually between 400 and 600 total chickens---according to how fast they sell. I have 57 chicken pens and 30 brooder pens, 10 of those heated. Just for info I only had about 30 chickens and 2/3 chicken pens 1 1/2 years ago. I been Busy in the last year. I am "Playing"!

 

[Renee572]

I just put seven in about a week ago and im sure they will all be mixed breeds as with most of my birds and they are due to hatch on the 7th. I just wish one of them would go broody.

I was hoping for a broody to but no such luck so we are using the incubator. I guess that's fine for our first time around since the kids can see what's going on better and it'll be fun for them to be able to watch. Maybe next time we will have a broody!

 

[Renee572]

So what's everyone hatching for? Egg layers, meat birds or pets?

I'm hatching for all of the above!! We can't keep roos so any that we hatch will definitely be dinner. We are probably only keeping a few of the hens so any others that we hatch will either be sold or become dinner as well. And lastly the 4 hens that I already have became pets real fast. I didn't realize how much I'd like chickens until we got them. So I am sure the next ones we keep will also become pets as well. Also we decided to hatch instead of just buying chicks so that we could experience it.

 

[Sustained]

So what's everyone hatching for? Egg layers, meat birds or pets?

I already have my egg layers but they're pets as well. So I'm hatching for pets. And I would love to have a roo so I'm going to try the no crow collar idea. If it doesn't work I will see if my neighbors will put up with one if I am as polite as I can be about it. If not I will find him a home but I'm hoping I don't have to do that. Especially since I've become quite attached to the little silkie that I suspect is a roo

 

[PD-Riverman]

I already have my egg layers but they're pets as well. So I'm hatching for pets. And I would love to have a roo so I'm going to try the no crow collar idea. If it doesn't work I will see if my neighbors will put up with one if I am as polite as I can be about it. If not I will find him a home but I'm hoping I don't have to do that. Especially since I've become quite attached to the little silkie that I suspect is a roo

LOL, Some mornings before daylight I go to my chicken yard and Listen---I have about 30 roosters---most are young over 20 of them are already crowing---some of them just learning---It is so funny to listen too. I do not have any neighboring homes near by so I am Good!! OH all the young roosters that I am not going to keep-----Go the Auction as Soon as I can tell they are males---usually about a month or so old.

 

[dmok12345]

I set 11 of my own chicken's eggs last Wednesday. They'll be hatching in December. 7 red eggs and 4 sikie eggs. Tried starting off with the egg carton/tilt the incubator method this time and the temp in the incubator wouldn't stay stable. Back to hand turning. Hoping for a good hatch. It's exciting. Good luck.

 

[ArekE]

I dont know if this has to do with her being broody but my buff orp has been laying in the neighbors back yard.

 

[Purpletie3]

So what's everyone hatching for? Egg layers, meat birds or pets?

I started out trying for healthy eggs...and they became pets quickly.