Hi I have a question. What about chickens setting on their own eggs?

[maf2008]

Hi,

I am very new to this sight and can't wait to learn from you all. I see everyone incubates eggs? Is it a good idea to let the chickens do this or should I pull eggs and get an incubater. We are starting with a flock of about 30 pullets and 3 or so roosters to keep seperate for breeding.

I too, cannot cull the roos, but will give them to local families for food or exchange the processing 2 for 1. (I give them 10 young roosters they return 5 processed chickens) Any support out there or what to do to get some meat if needed?

Thanks all.

 

[twotmama]

If the hens are trying to set it is better because you won't have to watch the incubator for 21 days. The hens raise chicks better than you would because its their nature, but if none are setting and there are fertile eggs its a good time to try your hand at the incubator; my hens aren't sitting yet so I'm trying out the incubator method for fun. But there is no replacing the hen she is always the best option. Incubators are fun to watch kind of like having your own it's exciting to bring life into the world, but there is a trick to it and you better read up on it before you try the endevor. I love it, but its whether your up for the 21 day wait.

 

[TXmom]

I'm new to chickens too, and I don't have an incubator. I have some breeds that are likely to go broody (Buf Orps and Silkies) and I will let them sit on fertile eggs when that time comes.

The reason people like to use incubators is because of timing. You never really know when your chickens are going to go broody, especially if you have breeds that aren't naturally inclined to do that. Sometimes young hens will also leave the nest prematurely before the eggs are hatched, or something else goes wrong and the eggs don't hatch...it's kind of a gamble...but so is an incubator!

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Quote:
Some people are so darn lucky to have an incubator !! and cannot wait to have chicks !! also they can be used to increase your flock faster and you get the enjoyment of raising different breeds etc.....many reasons.....

I let the hens do the hatching out because if I had an incubator it would be grounds for a divorce....ha ha ha!! Plus my coop is not big enough....Thats great to have neighbours to do the deed....thats a good deal.....I think I'll have to talk to my neighbour...I just give him the Roo's ...hm?

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

There are benefits to both methods of incubation.

Broody hens don't require electricity (thank goodness - for us silkie owners!) and the chicks they raise just have a zeel for life from the get-go. As the chicks mature, they seem to be better foragers and do better in the long run.

Incubators are good, because you will have hens that do not go broody when you like... or even go broody at all. If it was not for the invention of the incubator, a lot of non-setting breeds would be long gone. Chicks from incubators tend to be more people-centered and less wild that hen raised chicks.

Both are good, but it just depends on if you have the equipment (incubator, brooder, broody hen, etc.) in order to raise the chicks.

 

[twotmama]

Usually I have bantams that do the sitting, but if you don't have a broody hen you have to just be patient and let the wheather warm up and then you have hens sitting they like the warm wheather the best and tend to sit in the spring. Incubators are very touchy sometimes and there's risk involved, but its also fun to try if you have an incubator.