I'm new at this. Can you help?

[aqhaktberry3]

Hey everyone. So I'm kinda new with chickens. I have only bought live chicks and I was wondering how the whole process of buying eggs and hatching them you self works? What kind of equipment do you need? How do you do it? Is it hard? I'd love to learn how to do it! Thanks for any comments/help!

 

[Mahonri]

I started out with a 25 chick order from McMurray... Rainbow Layers.

Great birds.... but only 11 of the 26 made it through the first week.

I've done two hatches.

12 chicks out of 41 eggs the first time

12 chicks out of 44 eggs the second time (I stacked some)

1 died from the 1st group at 18 weeks from the heat. (Big beautiful leghorn that had just started laying)

I got 4 roos out of 12 in the first group.
I got 5 roos out of 12 in the second group

I used a new Genesis Hovabator 1588 with auto turners on both.

I may try to hatch out 12 to 24 of my own eggs in December... and I'm thinking of doing an early order with McMurray because I really want a couple of White Faced Black Spanish.

 

[Greenwood Chick]

I'm not new to chickens but I am new to hatching eggs. Only on my second batch myself. You asked about equipment... I really learned alot by reading the posts here on incubators. You will need to decided how much $ to spend, how many eggs you want to be able to put in at a time, and how much you want to 'babysit' the incubator. Everyone has their own opinion but this site has a ton of info. Read, read, read and good luck!

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

You will need an incubator, like Greenwood said, you need to read around and see what you want to spend. They come with directions, but you will need a thermometer and humidity reader to keep those at proper levels. There is tons of tips and info on here in this section.

You will need to set up a brooder like you did before with your chicks and have it ready for the ones that you hatch.

Its not hard, but a little time consuming if you dont get an egg turner. You have to turn them by hand at least 2x a day and keep up with the due date so you know when to stop turning or to take them out of the turner. I'd say the hardest part is getting the temp and humidity correct and having it stay there.

The easiest way (to hatch a few out--not 40 like an incubator) is to get a silkie or cochin or some other broody hen, letting her lay and then sit. Then swap out her eggs for yours. You just have to get a broody that is the right size for what you are hatching so that she doesnt crush them.
Best of luck!