How many chicks will you hatch in 2026?

[MichaelDJ]

Barred Rock, as many as my broody hens can manage.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

How many, hm... Lemme see

*braves the weather, knocking on coop door*
Sorry to bother you, ladies... um, how many chicks do you plan on this--
*a cacophony of discontent chicken screeches and BKAAH's*

They are undecided

ahem. Seriously though
I'd like to add a few more to the flock, but unsure if I should order hatching eggs (which I'd have to use an incubator for) or if I should forego new bloodlines this year and only let them hatch their own eggs, assuming they go broody.
If their own eggs, I imagine it'll be a dozen eggs or so through the year, split between multiple clutches.

 

[hammyanne]

Well I just ordered 14 hatching eggs this morning so looks like I’ll start with that! I ordered salmon faverolle, chantecler, lavender astrolorp and one lone Hmong egg!

I have one young rooster, so I’ll also incubate some of my own eggs later in the spring and also let my broodys sit on a few eggs as well. My rooster is a svart hona so I’m super curious to see those mixes! Then I might get some more silverudd eggs later in the spring as well!

My rooster is a Hmong and I love him! He’s been a perfect gentleman and is so gorgeous. Keep us updated on that Hmong egg!

 

[2ndTink]

How many, hm... Lemme see

*braves the weather, knocking on coop door*
Sorry to bother you, ladies... um, how many chicks do you plan on this--
*a cacophony of discontent chicken screeches and BKAAH's*

They are undecided

ahem. Seriously though
I'd like to add a few more to the flock, but unsure if I should order hatching eggs (which I'd have to use an incubator for) or if I should forego new bloodlines this year and only let them hatch their own eggs, assuming they go broody.
If their own eggs, I imagine it'll be a dozen eggs or so through the year, split between multiple clutches.

Oh gosh, if I asked my silkies how many they'd like to hatch this year I'm sure it would be in the 4 digit figures and I would lose my sanity if they did.

 

[Knobby]

My New Year resolution was for ZERO chicks

 

[2ndTink]

My New Year resolution was for ZERO chicks

I've tried that twice, the first year I ended up with about 20 chicks, the second time I tried it, I ended up with 8 more. So I've given that New Year's resolution up

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Oh gosh, if I asked my silkies how many they'd like to hatch this year I'm sure it would be in the 4 digit figures and I would lose my sanity if they did.

I'm thinking silkies are a "don't even ask, don't talk about chicks" situation

But they're so little, you could just give them each one very big egg if you wanted to hatch anything since they'll go broody 60% of the year anyway?

 

[DemeterAD9]

I plan to only incubate eggs for a meat bird project (plus a couple from my best layer). My incubator holds 20ish if I set them horizontally on the rollers. If I sit them vertically in egg cartons (turning by tilting the whole incubator) and really squeeze them in I can fit 32 or so. Not sure how crazy I want to get with them yet! I’ll be keeping track of who is what with leg bands and hatch bags. Also debating on truing the toe punch thing as it’s more permanent. Either way I’ll be marking them as they hatch so I’m trying to make sure I time the hatch for a day off.

As for may layers, I’m looking to hatch from certain hens for egg color/size and laying capability all while trying to add some body size and feather patterns. I like big, pretty chickens! So I plan to let the hens decide if they want to hatch eggs and if they do I’ll grab eggs for them. Off the top of my head, I want 15 new pullets. So that means at least 30 to account for cockerels.

Now if my math is correct I’ll be trying for 60+ chicks to hatch. Emphasis on the + because I also kinda wanna hatch some ducks if my pair of khakis can get it done. Or maybe I can get some Muscovy eggs… we shall see.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Ok, I've officially penned in the first two hatches of the year! We'll be setting Jan24 for a Valentines Day hatch and again Mar15 for an Easter hatch! Considering setting a third hatch as soon as the Easter hatch is done for late April chicks.