How many eggs to get 2 Hens?

[Brissychick]

Hello everyone

I am hoping to increase my flock by two hens each year and I am wondering how many eggs would I need to incubate if I wanted 2 hens? I know that not all eggs will hatch and some will be male.

Also would any recommend an incubator that is sold in Australia?

 

[WalnutHill]

The best thing to do would be to set a dozen. Odds are that 2 won't grow, 2 won't hatch, 4 will be male. That would leave you with 4 possible females, and you would be able to sell off any extras that live to maturity.

 

[Odelia]

It is a gamble because you cannot know the outcome in advance. I would try hatching 6-8 eggs. That way some can not hatch, some can be male and hopefully some can be pullets. Good luck.

 

[Rooster14250]

The most acurite percentage of males to females is 55-50% males and 45-50% females in hatching. I would set about 15 eggs just in case of issues. Amazon is a great place to get these incubators (i am not sure if you have Tractor Supply in Australia or not, but if you do that would also be a great place to look). I use a Farm Innovators incubator right now, and it cleans out great despite it being foam.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

My last hatch was 5 females and 7 males.

 

[Brissychick]

Thank you so much everyone.

I'll have a look that the sites, the internet businesses in Australia are way behind the rest of the world. Believe or not there isn't even Amazon here. We have to order to through the UK (we can't through the US as you guys have a differ voltage) and then pay huge postage and import tax and then change the plug.

A good idea to sell the extra chicks off.

My goodness AmyLynn2374 was that just bad luck or have you had that before with 7 males?

Thank you all again for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you so much everyone.

I'll have a look that the sites, the internet businesses in Australia are way behind the rest of the world. Believe or not there isn't even Amazon here. We have to order to through the UK (we can't through the US as you guys have a differ voltage) and then pay huge postage and import tax and then change the plug.

A good idea to sell the extra chicks off.

My goodness AmyLynn2374 was that just bad luck or have you had that before with 7 males?

Thank you all again for taking the time to answer my questions.

That was my biggest hatch so I don't have anything to compare it to...lol I have 40 in the incubator right now, with 39 that I am sure are still developing so far, so I am hoping that my ratio doesn't hold up with this hatch...lol

 

[Brissychick]

That was my biggest hatch so I don't have anything to compare it to...lol I have 40 in the incubator right now, with 39 that I am sure are still developing so far, so I am hoping that my ratio doesn't hold up with this hatch...lol

Fingers crossed. LOL How much longer to wait?

I'm so addicted to having chickens. I can hardly wait to hatch my first batch.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Fingers crossed. LOL How much longer to wait?

I'm so addicted to having chickens. I can hardly wait to hatch my first batch.

Yesterday was day 7 so 2 more weeks...lol