How early is too early to incubate?

[AshleyBelle]

Hey everyone! So, we've had a bad coon and opossum problem the last week killing several of our hens and roosters alike. We want to incubate but the majority of our hens are 25 weeks old. They have been laying since 21 weeks and their eggs are close to normal size already. Is this too early to incubate?

 

[nchls school]

Hey everyone! So, we've had a bad coon and opossum problem the last week killing several of our hens and roosters alike. We want to incubate but the majority of our hens are 25 weeks old. They have been laying since 21 weeks and their eggs are close to normal size already. Is this too early to incubate?

I do not think it is too early. My pullets are much younger and I have eggs being brooded. Candling shows they are fertile. Rather than age I believe it is more important that the eggs are close to or are normal size and are normal in shape and shell consistency. Good luck.

 

[AshleyBelle]

Thank you! We incubated at a 100% success rate last Christmas but those hens were almost a year old. We have no clue what we'll get this time around because we have Black Australorps, Easter Eggers, Production Reds, a Gold Laced Wyandotte, a Buff Orpington and Light Brahma's! There is at least 1 rooster and 1+ hens of each of these breeds. I'm very anxious to find out what will be made!

 

[nchls school]

Thank you! We incubated at a 100% success rate last Christmas but those hens were almost a year old. We have no clue what we'll get this time around because we have Black Australorps, Easter Eggers, Production Reds, a Gold Laced Wyandotte, a Buff Orpington and Light Brahma's! There is at least 1 rooster and 1+ hens of each of these breeds. I'm very anxious to find out what will be made!

Mine are serama and silkies. One of the seramas appears to be getting ready to brood; she's been on the nest all afternoon. Today she is three months 20 days old.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you! We incubated at a 100% success rate last Christmas but those hens were almost a year old. We have no clue what we'll get this time around because we have Black Australorps, Easter Eggers, Production Reds, a Gold Laced Wyandotte, a Buff Orpington and Light Brahma's! There is at least 1 rooster and 1+ hens of each of these breeds. I'm very anxious to find out what will be made!

My best hatch (100%) was with my pullet eggs. They had all been laying between 6-8 weeks ish. I agree. I think it's the size that it the most important. If they aren't the very first eggs or real small, I'd give them a try.

 

[AshleyBelle]

Thanks guys! I think we'll try and if it fails we'll just wait a few weeks and try again! Hopefully we'll have a good hatch rate like the first time!

They actually hatched about 12 hrs early on Christmas Eve then the rest Christmas Day and 10 more hatched New Year's Eve and Day! It was exciting stuff. Their birthdays are unforgettable!