First time hatching

[docmauney]

This may be a stupid question....I first saw my rooster mating a couple hens today. If I'm wanting to hatch some, how long after mating should I wait to harvest eggs? We eat several of the eggs so I'm trying to narrow it down to which eggs to eat and which to let go to the incubator (or let the momma sit). Just need direction on how to accomplish breakfast and hatching.

 

[Ramblin Rooster]

This may be a stupid question....I first saw my rooster mating a couple hens today. If I'm wanting to hatch some, how long after mating should I wait to harvest eggs? We eat several of the eggs so I'm trying to narrow it down to which eggs to eat and which to let go to the incubator (or let the momma sit). Just need direction on how to accomplish breakfast and hatching.

There's no such thing as a stupid question!

Well, fresher eggs the better for hatching, and you don't need to wait after mating, you can do it whenever you want as long as the rooster has been with the hens, you don't need to, and wont always see it happening. If you have about 12 hens to a rooster you can give the eggs a try when you collect them tomorrow morning, or whenever you want to hatch them.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had the same question, and I have been raising chickens for years! LOL. If the rooster is mating you can collect eggs the next day. I borrowed a roo from a friend, but I did find the roo didn't get to all the hens, just the easy ones. It may take a while for the top hens to realize the rooster is not just another chicken.

 

[docmauney]

Any reviews on Little Giant still air incubators? My 8 yo ask Santa for one

 

[SIMZ]

They're not the greatest, but if you follow the directions you can hatch in them. I hatched a few batches in one (with and without the automatic turner) and had about a 50% hatch rate. I think it would make a fine gift for an 8 year old, as long as you are willing to help and monitor it. Of course, if money isn't an issue, then you might want to take a look at the (much) more expensive incubators.