How is your flock today?

[416bigbore]

@BlueBaby This 2021 Easter Hatch-A-Long you speak of is all new to me and I would have to research it a bit more to see what is all involved. Sounds fun, I am guessing this is something you do each spring?

I didn't know if there was a certain criteria to choosing eggs to incubate or not. So I am guessing as long as you have a Rooster in your Flock, you don't need the hen to go broody first before picking eggs to incubate, they should all be fertile correct?

 

[BlueBaby]

@BlueBaby This 2021 Easter Hatch-A-Long you speak of is all new to me and I would have to research it a bit more to see what is all involved. Sounds fun, I am guessing this is something you do each spring?

I didn't know if there was a certain criteria to choosing eggs to incubate or not. So I am guessing as long as you have a Rooster in your Flock, you don't need the hen to go broody first before picking eggs to incubate, they should all be fertile correct?

You hatch whatever you want to. The chart I posted is to help people to know how long it will take to hatch the poultry of your choice, and what day that you would have to set them in your incubator to have them hatch for this. Sometimes it's hard to depend on a broody hen to be that way at the right time.

They do one of these Easter one's every year for the spring Easter hatching. Those who are more experienced in hatching help those who are new to it. They will also have several Easter themed contest's going on during that time also. It's fun! You could always crack an egg open before you do this to make sure that your rooster has hit it's mark, and that they are indeed fertile.

 

[BlueBaby]

@416bigbore It's still too early for them to post the Easter one for this year, but here's the one that they did for 2020 if you want to get an idea of what happens for it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/11th-annual-easter-hatch-a-long-2020.1350863/

 

[416bigbore]

@BlueBaby Thank you for the link and other information, greatly appreciated. I think this is something I would be interested in trying, so what incubator would you recommend?

This is the incubator I have been looking at purchasing to having on hand for emergency purposes. Do you have your own recommendations based on your past experience?

I think learning how this whole process works would be very valuable information for future flock growth once we find a larger place.

https://www.amazon.com/Incubator-Di...ndustrial&sr=1-4&ts_id=318009011&tag=backy-20

 

[BlueBaby]

Ok I went to look at it there, and I checked the customer review's on it. 67% gave it a 5 star review. If you buy one, plug it in first to test it out to make sure that it will hold the proper temp. correctly. For chicken egg's it will have to hold a 99.5-F.

Yes, and using one of those Hatch-a-long's here in BYC can help you to learn a lot. If you get stuck or have a question about something, you will get help fast, because so many other's are watching that thread (even the one's that have done it many time's before).

I'm still using the same incubator that I bought 5 year's ago, but mine is a Little Giant still air styrofoam one. I have an automatic turner for mine, and it can hold up to 42 egg's.

 

[416bigbore]

@BlueBaby I been giving this whole Hatch-A-Long thing some serious though and looking at different videos of people using the incubator you linked me. Looks like a great incubator for a newbie like myself.

I think for my first time around, chicks would be my better option over ducklings because they would be so much easier to care for over ducklings. I am not sure if my Isa Brown hens would make for a good egg to try and hatch? I put a link below to see what your thoughts are on using them.

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/isa-brown/

 

[BlueBaby]

@BlueBaby I been giving this whole Hatch-A-Long thing some serious though and looking at different videos of people using the incubator you linked me. Looks like a great incubator for a newbie like myself.

I think for my first time around, chicks would be my better option over ducklings because they would be so much easier to care for over ducklings. I am not sure if my Isa Brown hens would make for a good egg to try and hatch? I put a link below to see what your thoughts are on using them.

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/isa-brown/

As long as the Isa Brown egg's are fertile, I don't see why you couldn't hatch some. What rooster will you put over them?

 

[416bigbore]

Hello @BlueBaby Sorry for the delay in my reply. The only option I have is little Chewy who is just about five months old now and not sure if he would be ready in time ?

Our four Isa Brown hens are just now finally starting to accept him even being in the same coop as them.

How old does a little Roo have to be before they are old enough to mate successfully?

 

[BlueBaby]

@416bigbore Some mature faster than other's. Is he in there with the hen's yet?

Edit: OK I see that you said that he is. So just watch him, and when he is able to take a ride without falling off, start checking the egg's for fertility.

 

[416bigbore]

@BlueBaby O-ok, so the hens will stand for him then when the time is right? I have seen ducks in motion before, but never chickens.

Our hens will squat down when I walk by them, is that the same thing they will do for a Rooster?