How many chicks will you hatch in 2026?

[2ndTink]

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.

I haven't dabbled in ducks yet... they're SO cute though!!!

What kind of meat bird project? I just process my extra boys of whatever breed I have but I haven't done anything specific meat breeds yet.

 

[DemeterAD9]

I haven't dabbled in ducks yet... they're SO cute though!!!

What kind of meat bird project? I just process my extra boys of whatever breed I have but I haven't done anything specific meat breeds yet.

Mutt birds, staring a cockerel hatched from a Cornish cross egg fathered by a SLW X BJG. He looks like a taller, less overweight CX with a rose comb, so basically a hefty white Wyandotte. Hens will be 3x Wyandottes all of different colors, a barred rock and a few of my own mutts.

 

[Tex452]

I had 74 barnyard chicken eggs set in 3 different incubators, so far about 30 eggs have hatched, a lot were not fertile, I have a few more pipping, the chicks that have hatched are very healthy.
I will give the pullets away to whoever wants them, and butcher the cockerels.
I probably won’t set anymore until the end of February?
But that could change.

 

[2ndTink]

Mutt birds, staring a cockerel hatched from a Cornish cross egg fathered by a SLW X BJG. He looks like a taller, less overweight CX with a rose comb, so basically a hefty white Wyandotte. Hens will be 3x Wyandottes all of different colors, a barred rock and a few of my own mutts.

Sounds delicious

Will all the chicks be processed or are you going for a dual purpose mix that you can keep the pullets as layers and also keep the meat flock going?

 

[2ndTink]

I had 74 barnyard chicken eggs set in 3 different incubators, so far about 30 eggs have hatched, a lot were not fertile, I have a few more pipping, the chicks that have hatched are very healthy.
I will give the pullets away to whoever wants them, and butcher the cockerels.
I probably won’t set anymore until the end of February?
But that could change.

2026 chicks have arrived!

 

[DemeterAD9]

Sounds delicious

Will all the chicks be processed or are you going for a dual purpose mix that you can keep the pullets as layers and also keep the meat flock going?

I’ll likely be keeping a few for the next year’s breeders, assuming they turn out better than my usual mutts.

 

[Tex452]

2026 chicks have arrived!

32 have hatched, with one more pipping.
Lots of infertile eggs, but of the ones that were fertile, just two didn’t hatch.

 

[Kung_pao]

At least 9! That’s where I am so far, let’s hope for another two or three tonight. Couldn’t get a good pick of the chicks yet.

 

[Kung_pao]

11out and one that was a little stuck, I moistened him up and put him back