Is This a Good Idea?

[3KillerBs]

P.S. In re: the Brahma who won't squat.

I have wondered if her lack of squat plus her infrequent, undersized, and oddly-round eggs might mean that her hormones simply aren't there where she ought to be. The Brahmas I've had before weren't like that and, while certainly not star layers, they laid nice eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Another thought (who knows why I am fretting over those pretty birds)? And perhaps you have already addressed this. But I don't think people recommend hatching pullet eggs... but I am not quite sure when they reach a more hatch-able size?...

My point being, that if they are 15 weeks now, I would not expect them to lay for another 8-9 weeks, so Marchish, then one has to wait several weeks until the eggs get big enough for a viable hatch - So June, just saying, not sure... by then EVERYONE will be much older.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

Another thought (who knows why I am fretting over those pretty birds)? And perhaps you have already addressed this. But I don't think people recommend hatching pullet eggs... but I am not quite sure when they reach a more hatch-able size?...

My point being, that if they are 15 weeks now, I would not expect them to lay for another 8-9 weeks, so Marchish, then one has to wait several weeks until the eggs get big enough for a viable hatch - So June, just saying, not sure... by then EVERYONE will be much older.

Mrs K

Based on last year's birds, I'm expecting my first eggs in mid-late February and, if they're like their big sisters, the size will increase rapidly. Both Cordon and Teriyaki started with a solid "medium" and quickly moved up to large, averaging around 60g within a month.

I figure I can start hatching when the eggs reach "large" -- whenever that happens.

I'm going to do my first hatch with the eggs from the other flock though and make it easy on myself by not using the Marans's eggs the first time so I can learn candling with light shells.

I'm sure I'll make some mistakes, but the more I learn from others' mistakes the sooner I get to inventing new, original mistakes.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. With my better of the 2 adult Blue Australorps in that pen, I should have some good eggs as soon as she's back in lay and allows the cockerel to mate.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't think people recommend hatching pullet eggs... but I am not quite sure when they reach a more hatch-able size?...

No they generally don't. I've found sites where they actually give reasons instead of just say don't do it. I have it go cook mustard greens for supper so I'll be unusually quick for me. I find most of those reasons go away after the pullet has been laying about a month. That month is my observation from hatching pullet eggs, not anything I've read.