hatching eggs vs buying chicks

[whipittire]

im a little confused as to why you would hatch your chicks when it is (or seems to be) more cost effective to buy day old chicks. anybody??

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

My biggest reason for hatching my own chicks (from my eggs or someone elses) is quality. I have hatchery birds, and they're great layers and nice birds, but you never know what you're going to get from a hatchery. For example, I got Silkies this year. I wanted excellent quality birds, and after looking through some threads I quickly realized I was not going to find what I wanted from a hatchery. It also seems like the hatcheries focus more on production instead if looks, which is great if you want a flock of layers that are ok to look at, but not so good if you're wanting birds you can show. Not saying you can't show hatchery chickens, because I've gotten some really pretty, almost perfect hatchery chickens, but I got more that didn't fit that category.

 

[loanwizard]

Ummm... I hatch my own because I figured it was cheaper than buying day old chicks. I have a little electric involved, but the eggs are free. Only reason I would buy day old chicks is if I needed to make sure they were all female.

 

[fshinggrl]

I normally get day old chicks but I had two hens ok, 3 go broody and wanted to have the experience of not having a brooder box and letting the hens raise the chicks itself. It's nice not having an incubator to watch too, but that in itself (last year) was a great learning tool for my kids.

 

[loanwizard]

After 3 years, 1 broody Cochin that the coons got, as well as a Mallard, I finally have 2 broodies, about a week apart so I am watching them. Eggs were free so to speak so we will see what happens.

 

[BGinVA]

I'm assuming you mean to buy fertile eggs versus one fertilized within your flock? If that's the case, I too think its more risky buying eggs then buying day olds. But some reasons I would consider buying eggs would be to satisfy a broody hen, for a 4-H or other organization project where kids need to hatch their own, or just for the fun and enjoyment of wating and watching for them to hatch. I wouldn't however buy fertile eggs just to start my flock.

 

[angel8035]

For fun

 

[Aschenfire]

My reason for buying hatching eggs is to get breeds that I cannot (or would not want to) get from hatcheries. I want show-potential birds, and so I hatched out Modern Game Bantams and I am currently on my second clutch of Seramas, from breeders. I will have another clutch of Seramas coming on the 20th as well.

Hatcheries are great if you want to start a flock quickly and do not want to invest the time and risk into hatching eggs. You'll get perfectly fine chickens, and if you are just wanting a flock for pets or eggs or meat, they'll be the best way to go. If you get interested in exhibition or rare breeds, the only real choice is to hatch your babies out, or buy already started birds from a breeder at a much higher cost.

 

[cochins1088]

My main reason is for the fun. I just love watching the little guys develop as I candle nearly every night. And it's such a miracle watching the little guys hatch out. It's just a rewarding feeling. They can also turn a profit. I usually don't keep the chicks I hatch, I simply hatch too many so I sell many of them and I can easily get $4 a chick.

 

[whipittire]

thank you all for your comments. my wife and i are having fun at this, you are all making it better. ty again