Hatching eggs in fall?

[redrodeo]

I was wondering what the pro's and cons are of hatching chicks in the fall vs hatching them in spring are. I can not find a straight answer to this question. All I am looking for is a simple list stating Pro's and Con's of hatching eggs in spring.

 

[GitaBooks]

I"m hatching eggs right now, as are a lot of people, but it isn't fall yet. Here is a list of pros and cons to hatching eggs in the fall:

PROS
The chicks will be maturing by spring and will lay well throughout the rest of the next year
They eat less during the winter, as they are still maturing and not yet laying
There is no danger of chicks over-heating
They feather-out faster in cooler weather


CONS
There are less kinds available
Less eggs are laid by hens
Fertility drops
Eggs may be misshapen more
The chicks will be cold and unable to forage for a few months
They need heated for a longer amount of time

I hope this helps.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I did last year and won't do it again. If you have a heated coop with room for a brooder or a big old barn or something that is draft free and has electricity, then I wouldn't think twice about hatching in fall. I would say if I had to make a list of pros and cons it would go like this:

Pros: They have all winter to mature and should be laying by spring.
I disagree with them eating less as theoretically chickens eat more in commercial feed during the winter (if you live where you get snow) because they don't have the availibility to be out pecking and eating from ranging and getting bugs and worms.
If you brood inside they theoretically should be more personable if you are spending time with them.

Cons: If you have to brood inside and have multiple birds it's hard to maintain a smell free clean environment (not impossible, but hard) and the amount of bird dust is unbelievable and hard to keep up with.
If you brood outside you have the added worry of whether they are out of drafts and have sufficient heat. If you are using a light as source of heat you have an added fire concern.
If you live in an area that sees below negative winters you have the worry of frostbite.
It's often harder to rehome-sell unwanted chicks in the late fall/winter (at least around here.)
If you end up with one lone hatcher it's harder to find a friend for him to keep him (and you) sane.
They will need a source of heat for a longer period.
That's my opinion.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hatching in the spring:

Pros: Typically they can go outside and be able to range quicker.
They should not need to be provided a heat source for as long.
Ranging and feeding from nature should in theory cut the commercial feed bills down.
While they still need to be draft free the worry of extreme cold temps and frostbite don't exist.
Easier to sell extras/unwanted chicks (especially around April/Easter.)


Cons: It'll be fall or close before they start laying and egg production for the first year will be low.
Family vacations and events are more ongoing during spring/summer and sometimes conflict with hatching schedules and care of hatchlings.
Watching for overheated chicks due to outside temps.

 

[GitaBooks]

I disagree with them eating less as theoretically chickens eat more in commercial feed during the winter (if you live where you get snow) because they don't have the availibility to be out pecking and eating from ranging and getting bugs and worms.

I meant because they are smaller during the winter they eat less then adult laying hens, not that they don't eat a lot in the winter. I have to cut down my flock 30 chickens before winter because it cost so much.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I meant because they are smaller during the winter they eat less then adult laying hens, not that they don't eat a lot in the winter. I have to cut down my flock 30 chickens before winter because it cost so much.

I have about 42 right now (the boys out of the last hatch will be going soon hopefully though.) Even though the 22 big ones are out ranging they are still going through a good amount, especially my layers. Right now I'm buying laying crumbles, grower/finisher and starter/grower. They are breaking the bank. I hate to see this winter. I am dreading it big time.

Yes, smaller birds to feed should mean less, my "littles" are big pigs though....lol I think them and the layers eat twice as much as my 17 weekers.

 

[GitaBooks]

I have about 42 right now (the boys out of the last hatch will be going soon hopefully though.) Even though the 22 big ones are out ranging they are still going through a good amount, especially my layers. Right now I'm buying laying crumbles, grower/finisher and starter/grower. They are breaking the bank. I hate to see this winter. I am dreading it big time.

Yes, smaller birds to feed should mean less, my "littles" are big pigs though....lol I think them and the layers eat twice as much as my 17 weekers.

I don't get why the saying is "eating like a pig" instead of "eating like a chicken". LOL.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I don't get why the saying is "eating like a pig" instead of "eating like a chicken". LOL.

I agree with that one! lol

 

[dekel18042]

I was wondering what the pro's and cons are of hatching chicks in the fall vs hatching them in spring are. I can not find a straight answer to this question. All I am looking for is a simple list stating Pro's and Con's of hatching eggs in spring.

I've read all the pros and cons but one thing not mentioned. I know several people who hatched in the fall, October until the end of November, and it was with a broody and not on purpose. The broodies hid their nests and reappeared with everything from 5 to 11 babies. In these cases, the babies survived cold temps with their mothers and it seemed easier than trying to keep them in a brooder and provide the correct heat. That seems easier than trying to hatch them in an incubator during the fall.

 

[GitaBooks]

I've read all the pros and cons but one thing not mentioned. I know several people who hatched in the fall, October until the end of November, and it was with a broody and not on purpose. The broodies hid their nests and reappeared with everything from 5 to 11 babies. In these cases, the babies survived cold temps with their mothers and it seemed easier than trying to keep them in a brooder and provide the correct heat. That seems easier than trying to hatch them in an incubator during the fall.

It gets really cold where we are. When my broody hatched chicks in the winter, I had to put them in the basement for months and it was really messy. I liked the chicks, it was fun, but I couldn't keep them outside without worrying as their droppings steam, the water freezes three times a day and will freeze when it splashes, and all my chickens get frost bite on the tips of their combs.
However, if it is warmer in your area, a momma could raise chicks. It would be nice to provide a heat lamp, since they may grow too large to be covered but still not be fully feathered.