Hmmm, when to start incubating??

[Hennyhandler]

It seems that alot of people seem to begin incubating in the spring. I know it is a good time with the weather usually not being to drastic one way or another but I am way busy at the moment and would need to add an addition before I incubated eggs. The thing is I am DYING to hatch some!!

So my question is could I do it in the summer?

Also, what made me worry was that I recall in the Storey's chicken book that chickens that were begining to lay in the winter would be off, like they would wait all the way to spring and wouldn't lay as long in the long term or something like that. I would have to double check about this but it did pass my mind as I was thinking. ANY opinions are welcome. I need to know the bad parts as well as the good parts about this idea. I'm just feeling egg crazy. I need them!!!

 

[ADozenGirlz]

We bought our very first day-old chicks in July 2009. I was concerned that they may not start to lay within 4-6 months too because it would be winter, HOWEVER, we provided supplemental lighting on a timer in the coop so that they were getting at least 13-14 hours of light (light is what triggers their hormones to tell them to begin laying). They started laying on December 11th, at approximately 24 weeks old and have been laying like champions ever since! I don't know about "the long term" as you put it, but I haven't read anything to that effect.

I thought it was wonderful to be able to brood the chicks in the summer time when the temperatures are naturally warmer (here in Connecticut) and it worked out perfectly that they were ready to move into the Big Girl Coop in early September when they were all feathered out and temps started to cool off a bit.

Can't help ya with the "egg crazy" part b/c I've got the same sickness myself!!! I say: Hatch Away!!

How can you resist THIS temptation?!

 

[Madcap621]

Welcome to the mania!

Q: When is the best time to Incubate and hatch chix?

A. Spring B. Summer C. Autumn D.Winter E. Monthly F. Weekly G. When there are no fuzzybutts peeping

H. When there aren't enough fuzzybutts peeping I. When you NEEEEEED to!!!! J. All of the above

 

[PandoraTaylor]

Agreed..............anytime

,

anywhere for any

and all reasons at all!

More fuzzy butts

More fuzzy butts

More fuzzy butts

yep

 

[PeepsInc]

I filled the bator again, last week. They take 21 days to hatch,& they have to stay in a brooder for 6 weeks regardless. It will be April or May by then. Sounds like you better hurry up