Incubator vs already hatched

[Bluegrassmama]

I was just wondering why some people order eggs and hatch them in an incubator instead of purchasing newly hatched chicks?

 

[Poultry parent]

It's just a different experience. You get to see them hatch, and they imprint on yuh

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I was just wondering why some people order eggs and hatch them in an incubator instead of purchasing newly hatched chicks?

Number one..the experience. It is awesome to see that development and know that you are part of that. Incubating/hatching can be very addictive.
Number two, at least for me, I don't like shipped chicks because of the stress to the chicks. I can't see putting new Little chicks through all that when I can hatch them myself.

I have never bought chicks. All my birds I hatched myself. And I'm proud of that.

The only drawback to eggs is if you get shipped there is a risk that the damage to the egg will make it non viable and low hatch rates are expected with shipped.

 

[Bluegrassmama]

That's what I was worried about. I purchased ours at our local TSC so no chicks shipped here. I'm seriously thinking about incubating a few though. We homeschool so it would be an awesome learning experience also.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

That's what I was worried about. I purchased ours at our local TSC so no chicks shipped here. I'm seriously thinking about incubating a few though. We homeschool so it would be an awesome learning experience also.

That's how we started. 1st grade science unit on Oviparous animals. Borrowed my sisters incubator and she gave us eggs. She was supposed to take any chicks back. Had no interest in chickens. Here we are almost three years later raising our own and still hatching. Lol

I have 19 silkies on lockdown 5 that are already externally pipped. These are for selling though.

 

[Bluegrassmama]

That sounds like fun! My son is in the 8th grade but I think it will still be a good learning experience for him.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

That sounds like fun! My son is in the 8th grade but I think it will still be a good learning experience for him.

Are you kidding? It's a good learning experience for us all.

With every hatch you learn, I swear. I've been incubating almost 3 years and I think I gain something with each hatch.