October Hatch-A-Long

[Quailsong]

Out of sincere curiosity, why an October hatch? Assuming people aren't from down South, and aren't a big year-round hatchery, what 'use' is there to hatch chicks so late in the year?

(I'm only saying this 'cause of chicken math I live in Canada & I probably wouldn't be able to convince my partner we NEED to hatch & raise adorable chicks inside the house when it's -30C/-22F outside...)

 

[appps]

Can't answer that one cause myself and a few others are from down south and are heading into spring

 

[kada6305]

Out of sincere curiosity, why an October hatch? Assuming people aren't from down South, and aren't a big year-round hatchery, what 'use' is there to hatch chicks so late in the year?

(I'm only saying this 'cause of chicken math I live in Canada & I probably wouldn't be able to convince my partner we NEED to hatch & raise adorable chicks inside the house when it's -30C/-22F outside...)

I hatch in October so that the pullets I hatch out will be ready to hatch in spring. Instead of hatching in spring and waiting until Summer for eggs. This way their first year of hatching is a full hatching season.

 

[KittyKat3756]

October hatch because we're running out of laying hens as the older, ex-battery "rescue" ISA Browns are starting to keel over from age and have a tendency toward laying soft-shelled eggs in their later years. I currently have 5 hens, of which only 3 are laying, and ideally we should have 6-7 laying hens. The Wyandotte should come into lay in about 2-8 weeks, and the newly hatched Light Sussex in 6 months or so. So in 6 months, we should have 7 hens of which 5 are laying. If I set more eggs at the start of next year, then by this time next year, we should have 8 hens of which 7 are laying (I'm taking into account the rest of the ISA Browns going off lay or dying in the mean time). Then late next summer, I can set another lot of eggs of a more interesting, but less productive breed and we'll end up with 8-9 laying hens in Spring 2016. Just for planning ahead

Also, my other half likes having chicks in the house.

 

[DRGLENNON]

Day 14 , six developing nicely even after power outage. These are the first of my own eggs to be hatched.

 

[Skink]

Lockdown on my final remaining egg went in today. Fingers crossed for you, little buddy. Please make it!

As for why an october hatch, I'm down in Texas, however the chickens I am hatching I am intending to keep indoors year round. Serama are very small and make good house pets. I won't be doing layers until spring. There isn't a practical way for me to keep a full flock of pullets indoors until better weather (though in the next 8 weeks it likely won't even be that cold, "winter" doesn't really settle in til mid-december here, but I digress.)

 

[Rainier]

Out of sincere curiosity, why an October hatch? Assuming people aren't from down South, and aren't a big year-round hatchery, what 'use' is there to hatch chicks so late in the year?

(I'm only saying this 'cause of chicken math I live in Canada & I probably wouldn't be able to convince my partner we NEED to hatch & raise adorable chicks inside the house when it's -30C/-22F outside...)

I hatch now because it is difficult to keep the temperature stable. I don't have AC and heat by wood burning stove. I also do it because at this time of year I'm feeding birds that don't lay anyway. Might as well be babies who well be ready to start laying in April.

 

[Rainier]

Day 14 , six developing nicely even after power outage. These are the first of my own eggs to be hatched.

How exciting!

 

[Rainier]

I just realized I'm a day off. I'm on day 16 now

 

[ChickyChickens]

3 hens are broody, but they ahve no eggs to sit on!

Will give them golf balls until my orderd eggs come!! It is the first time in my life that i have had to order eggs 'cause i have run out!!