Dipping my toe into the incubate and hatch water - questions

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

You guys are SO bad for me! The chickens came first providing me with eggs. Now I want the eggs to come first and provide me with chickens.

We have a pretty mild climate here (lots of rain, but not a lot of freezing and snow, so I was thinking that hatching some eggs over the winter would be the best timing for me as I am home most of the time. Also, it would give me time to save up for a bator and by then our new perma-coop will have been done and the big girls moved in which would leave the temporary living quarters for the chicks when it is time to move them out.

So on to the questions:

Is it reasonable to plan to hatch some eggs over the winter?

If so, is it better to do it later in the season - like after Christmas or earlier in the season - like halloween?

If not, when is the best time?

I want to start with some EE and maybe some polish or silkie or frizzle (something fuzzy for the cute factor - but need to be standard size).

We also are talking seriously about raising some for meat, so when is the best time to hatch eggs for that purpose?

I am such a nube!

Cheryl

ETA:

I tried to be patient for answers, but this slipped to page 3 with no responses, so I thought I would give it one bump with a clarification in the subject line.

C

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

oops, I guess it doesn't bump if one edits original post. So much for my attempt at being subtle.

Cheryl

 

[justhatchin]

Hi Cheryl!!

I'm in Kansas so not much help to you- as in for your climate- But if you plan it to where it is best for your timing -coops ready, time is available. Since your weather is not very cold you should be ok just about whenever it is good for you.
I plan here so I don't have 1/2 grown chickens needing lots of space but still the light warmth by the time it starts freezing. remember 21 days to hatch and 4 weeks under a light give or take a week.
As for the meat ones I would buy broilers or roasters (cornish rock already hatched)-8 to 10 weeks and they are ready to go!! I do 10 in the spring and in the fall (just 2 of us). I will(hopefully) get some close to the first of september and finished with them by the first or mid nov. It will be cool then and better for them, they don't do well in the heat. Early spring here no later than last of may or maybe mid june to butcher and then late summer/early fall. Everyone has their preference. Hope this helps you. Susan

 

[walkswithdog]

I'll run colored broilers spring, fall and winter, not summer. Fall and winter are nice - extra poop and no extra flies. Spring here and they do some foraging and feeding themselves, which is always nice.

Fuzzies I like silkies, and sizzles and araucana are interesting and lay blue eggs. Bantam cochins are little cuddle feather pillows.

 

[nivtup]

So, the Wet Coast must mean somewhere around here

You can definately raise them before, during, and after winter

Make sure you have ample space set aside to get them to about 6 weeks before moving them out. You can move them to a coop earlier, if you move the heat lamp with them.

As far as meaties, definately go the Cornish Cross chick route. There will also be all of the pesky extra rooster that need to find a place to live. Ours seem to like the freezer

Warning, hatching is highly dangerous. Soon you too could have 200 chickens