• giveaway ENDS SOON! Cutest Baby Fowl Photo Contest: Win a Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect CLICK HERE!

Does it matter what time of year chicklings hatch?

Date sort Score sort
Yes and no.

There are benefits to winter hatching and benefits to summer hatching

Summer pros:
Chicks run around more and don't need to be sheltered as long and frequently by the mother.
Cons: More predators and sometimes the hens cook eggs during hatching. Water bowls are desirable drowning places and hens may wean chicks too early (I had a pheonix who weaned her chick yesterday at about a week old because she doesn't need to keep him warm in the day)

Winter Pros: chicks begin laying earlier than spring chicks, hens are unlikely to accidentally cook eggs while setting, less predators
Cons: Chicks may not run around as often and require more frequent and longer warming sessions with mother. Falling in water can wearily Lear to frozen chicks
 
Welcome to BYC. I can't think of anything to add to the good points you have already received, other than fall chicks in cold climates may require more food to grow as quickly as spring/summer chicks, since they use more energy to keep warm. My broody hens have hatched chicks every month except December, and for all the reasons @JacinLarkwell mentioned, I have no preference as to what season they hatch.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom