/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

How to wait before hatching a young pullet's eggs?

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by ChickenManTN, Feb 10, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Feb 10, 2014 #1
    ChickenManTN

    ChickenManTN Chillin' With My Peeps

    106
    19
    78
    Aug 21, 2013
    Greenbrier, TN
    I read in Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens that it is best to wait six weeks after a hen begins laying before breeding. This is supposed to make for better fertility and stronger chicks. Two of my 6 1/2 month old Speckled Sussex hens started laying today. I am probably not going to be able to wait six weeks. High fertility rates are not a matter of concern, since I'm not selling the eggs, but I do want the chicks to be strong and healthy. Has anyone else ever heard of waiting before breeding like this?
     
  3. Feb 10, 2014 #2
    Anna6

    Anna6 Chillin' With My Peeps

    792
    75
    176
    Jan 3, 2014
    SoCal
    Yes, I have heard of this. I was reminded of it because I bought 12 Black Copper Marans eggs for hatching. There were two smaller eggs in it and neither one hatched. I also heard smaller egg smaller chicks and not to use the smaller pullet eggs for hatching.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by