How many eggs?

[SpotTheCat]

How many eggs do you think I need to incubate to get at least 3 hens?
I know there is no way to guarantee what hatches, but I was wondering how many eggs I should get to have a good chance at getting three hens.
I have incubated quail before, but never chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends on your hatch rate but I'd guess about 10.
The hatch rate will depend on the source of your eggs and the quality of your incubator.

Keep in mind that the normal ratio is 50:50 but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could be 100% boys or girls. It is rare to get a 100% hatch rate. Just because a chick hatches, they may not grow to be mature hens.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Where are you sourcing the eggs from? Local or shipped? Fertility will also affect how many eggs you'll need to set.

If I wanted 3 pullets I'd plan on 8-10 local eggs or 12+ shipped. That's with hatching eggs from healthy flocks with near 100% fertility.

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

I do 10 egg hatches and usually have 3 or more hens.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Where are you sourcing the eggs from? Local or shipped? Fertility will also affect how many eggs you'll need to set.

Shipped probably

 

[My2butterflies]

I’d say 12

 

[Willawong Hill]

Yep, i'd go at least a dozen. Of the 31 shipped eggs I've brought I've had 1 hatch. But i think my incubator is part of the problem.